Ergonomic Office Chair vs Executive Leather Chair

Ergonomic Office Chair

Ergonomic Office Chair

Ergonomic - it’s such a thoroughly modern word but what does it actually mean?

For some, especially those involved in marketing or retail, it is a magic word added to a product to give it a unique selling point.

It’s a bit like ‘serum’ or ‘scientifically proven to work’ plastered all over anti-wrinkle creams and skin potion pots. It encourages people to buy the product even if there is no real scientific evidence that the ‘serum’ will actually make you look younger.

The Collins English Dictionary Definition is as follows:

“designed to minimize physical effort and discomfort, and hence maximize efficiency”

The benefits of some products that are sold as ‘Ergonomic’ are questionable. For instance, I have personally never got on well with computer keyboards that are designed to mould to the shape of your wrists and hands. I don’t particularly find them comfortable or easy to use. Of course this is entirely subjective but hopefully you can see the point I’m trying to make.

However, the advantages of ergonomic office chairs are obvious. The health and general well being implications of a good comfortable office chair are well known. This is where ergonomic office chairs really come into their own because they have been specifically designed to support key areas of your body that are susceptible to injury or damage.

Executive Leather Chair

Executive Leather Chair

In some ways, this blog was slightly misleading because many executive leather chairs have ergonomic qualities and in fact some have even in be placed in the same category on our website.

The main difference is that while an executive leather chair can be comfortable for an individual sitting for long periods, it may not be suitable for another person.

In other words, if you work in an industry where more than one user might sit in the same chair in a 24-hour period, an executive leather chair may not be the best choice. You would probably be wise to choose an ergonomic chair instead.

Most ergonomic office chairs will also have an adjustable lumbar control which is a part of the chair designed to support your lower back.

Executive leather chairs tend to be more managerial in style and luxurious than their ergonomic counterparts. However, it is possible to get a leather office chair that is modern and stylish yet also supports your back and neck so that strain or injury is less likely.

To summarise, you could argue that all modern office chairs have been ergonomically designed to some extent. But I’m sure you know as well as I do that not all office chairs were created equal. At the end of the day, choosing an office chair that is right for you is a very subjective and personal choice. I wish you luck!

I welcome your comments and thoughts. In fact, if you don’t comment I will personally come round and make you sit in a really cheap computer operator chair for 30 minutes!

Swap your Office Chairs for Couches and Sofas

It is often said that more business deals are sealed over a relaxing lunch or dinner.

Of course this is often due in part to the obligatory consumption of alcohol which helps clients to relax and communicate more effectively (until the slurring of speech and dribbling begins! )

What this highlights however is the fact that alcohol has played a part in helping to create a relaxing environment, conducive to business.

Now I’m not suggesting that you ply your clients with booze as a matter of course at every business meeting. However, some business owners are finding that removing their office chairs and replacing them with sofas, easy chairs and other comfortable seating is improving their business meetings. Some company directors have even gone so far as to create a ‘living room’ feel to their office by stripping out most formal office furniture

If you think about it, this makes perfect sense. Most people are generally going to feel more relaxed in a home-like environment rather than a formal office with those standard issue executive chairs. It makes it far more likely that conversation will be less formal and that people will  be prepared to talk about more personal and social issues which is important for building bonds.

An additional benefit is that people are more likely to talk about your business and recommend it to their friends and colleagues. They’ll remember those lovely plump sofas and comfortable easy chairs and how the business deal was formalised to easily.

A study conducted by researchers at Kansas University found that levels of stress were significantly reduced in client meetings which were held in a comfortable and less office-like environment.

Re-design your Office Meeting Room

Try arranging large comfortable chairs or sofas around a round coffee table instead of having a formal office desk and office chairs that most other businesses use. This creates an ambience that will inevitably aid easy conversation.

Standard boardroom tables or office desks are a psychological barrier, a bit like when you go to an interview and find yourself sitting in a chair that is noticeably lower than that of your interviewer. Therefore you should avoid any office desk that is higher than a standard coffee table.

Next consider adding some plants. Real ones are best if you are able to keep them maintained but there are also some excellent realistic artificial plants available which will suffice. Try to keep your office colour scheme neutral. Garish and extreme colours can lead to increased stress levels.

Offer your client a choice of seat rather than directing them to a particular one and then sit opposite. Make sure there is clock clearly visible from any part of the room so that nobody is embarrassed about having to look at a watch when pressed for time.

Finally, make some snacks and refreshments available to your clients and then measure the benefits for yourself. I’m fairly certain based on the body of evidence and research I’ve found that you should see instant and positive results.

Another study found that attendees of a presentation held in a comfortable environment exhibited lower stress levels and were generally more attentive than their counterparts who heard the same presentation in a more formal surroundings. This was measured by testing skin temperature across the two test groups.

Still not convinced?

Think about therapists and counsellors for a moment. Why is it do you think that they conduct their meetings in comfortable and relaxing surroundings?

The simple answer is because it helps to make people feel more at ease.

Of course I’m not comparing your business meetings to a therapy session but I’m sure you see the point of this analogy.

Office Chair Guide

In the beginning…

Once upon a time there was an office chair.

It was a lonely office chair and one of a kind. There were no other office chairs.

All alone in the world and devoid of company, the office chair sought out its creator, who duly decreed that ‘thou shalt go forth and multiply’.

And it did.

Through a combination of invention, mass manufacturing and developments in ergonomic design, our office chair suddenly found that it was faced with the threat of extinction, due to a disturbing increase in the number of rival ‘designer’ chairs.

Their ranks began to swell even further and soon the original office chair was overwhelmed by a legion of sophisticated and superior quality chairs. The tired old office chair wheeled itself out into the wilderness, full of regret, lonely and forgotten.

Office Chairs | Office Chair | Ergonomic Office Chairs

Cut to the present…

We have no record of what happened to that original office chair but can only assume that it ended its days in a landfill site surround by thousands of other redundant chairs.

This analogy serves to illustrate the difficulty imposed on us by simply having too much choice. Our hope with this guide is to simplify the process of buying an office chair.

Choosing Your Office Chair

Your choice of office chair will almost certainly be determined by the following factors:

• Budget
• Comfort
• Style & Material
• Colour
• Ergonomic Design
• Specific User Requirement

Of course your choice of office chair is largely subjective.

One person’s perfect chair can be quite different from another and this can be determined by a number of factors. These include user body shape, the chairs’ purpose and how often the chair will be used.

For instance, I am sitting here writing this blog in a chair which my colleague finds incredibly uncomfortable. But for me it works, and suits my body shape while I’m sitting for long periods. So therefore if it’s for personal use, try to actually sit in the chair you are interested in rather than buying online.

Although I can literally choose from 100′s of different office chairs (the benefits of working in an office showroom ), my chosen chair is actually not one of the more expensive models. I just happen to find this particular chair comfortable (it’s a Gresham Platinum Ergo in case you were wondering!)

Let me now explain to you some of the main types of office chair that you can expect to find in stores or online.

Ergonomic Office Chair

Ergonomic office chairs are designed to help prevent back pain and help to improve your posture when sitting for long periods. They generally provide good lower back support and are available with or without arms and headrests.

A good ergonomic office chair will have tension adjustment and gas height lift.   Make sure that your chair has lumbar support. The lumbar spine on an ergonomic office chair has an inward curve that helps to prevent straining your lower back when sitting for prolonged periods.

If your choice of chair has arms, it is preferable to make sure they are adjustable. This allows you to rest your arms so that your shoulders are relaxed.

Mesh Chairs

Mesh office chairs are designed with ergonomics in mind.

A mesh chair allows the natural heat that your body produces to disperse through the material. They are also considered to be very comfortable because the mesh moulds itself to the shape of your body and at the same time supports your back and lower spine.

Some office chairs only have a mesh back (like the one in the image shown), although it is possible to get mesh chairs which also have a mesh seat. Whether or not you choose a padded seat or mesh is purely a matter of preference but some people like to have the seat mould to their shape also.

Executive Leather

Executive leather office chairs are designed with comfort in mind. They are often favoured by managerial types because they make you look important and powerful.

This is probably due to their luxurious nature and the association that an executive chair has with authority.

As a general rule, executive chairs don’t have as many controls as an ergonomic office chair although they may have a standard ‘rock & tilt’ mechanism and gas lift height adjustment.

Some models have a ‘knee tilt’ mechanism which allows you to rock and lock the chair into position.

Manager Chairs

Managers Chairs are available in leather and fabric but are probably most common in fabric.

A managers chair usually has a high back and removeable arms and is generally bigger in dimension than a standard computer chair (see below). They are also considered more luxurious, comfortable and have deeper foam than other cheaper models.

They will usually have a ‘rock & tilt’ and/or ‘knee tilt’ mechanism and are available in a variety of different fabrics and colours.

Factory Chairs &  Draughtsman Chairs

If you work at a counter, in a laboratory or a factory, you may need some extra height on your chair.

They can be distinguished from ordinary office chairs by the foot ring. They will also tend to be on wheel glides rather than casters.

Factory & draughtsman chairs are suitable for anyone working up to a height of around 900mm. They are beneficial because when raised, the foot ring offers support and the extra height makes it much easier to stand.

Computer Chairs & Operator Chairs

Computer chairs and operator chairs are suitable for people with limited finances.

However, although they are at the budget end of the scale, it is still possible to get computer chairs and operator chairs that have ergonomic features.

These include tension support, gas lift height adjustment, moulded back cushions and spine support.

The main difference between these chairs and the more expensive ergonomic chairs is the depth and quality of the padding and fabric. Additionally, the back and seat are separated.

Other Office Chair Considerations

Cantilever Chair

Here are a few more office chair options that you should consider before buying:

- Do you require a standard, medium back or high back office chair?

- Do you need a chair with arms?

- If you decide upon a high back office chair, do you also require a headrest?

- What level of adjustment control will suit your requirements?

- Do you want a chair with gliders, casters?

- Are you likely to use the chair for prolonged periods?

- If you are a larger user you may need an extra large chair with a more powerful gas lift function

- If you want a fixed office chair (no wheels), do you want legs or cantilever (see image)?

Office Furniture Feng Shui

The ancient Chinese art or science of Feng Shui dates back more than 3000 years.

Literally meaning ‘Wind’ ‘Water’, it is alleged that the positioning of furniture, ornaments, trinkets and paintings can directly affect the flow of energy in any given space.

Whether or not you actually believe that Feng Shui works, there can be no doubt that some of the principles have sound logical and practical elements that can affect your home and office environment.

Do you have a favourite public house or restaurant that you like to frequent? If the answer to this question is Yes then you will probably have a preferred place that you like to sit. The same is no doubt true within your own home. The reason for this is that some seating positions just seem more favourable than others and are perceived to be more comfortable and auspicious.

This of course could simply be attributed to something as simple and obvious as a good view, provided by a window seat for instance. However on the flip side of this, if you sit with your back facing the room and cannot see what’s going on behind you, it is not likely to be your first choice of seating.

For this reason I’ve compiled this quick guide to help you position your office furniture according to Feng Shui. This list is by no means exhaustive, but is merely designed to provide an insight into the more obvious benefits of Feng Shui.

Office Desk and Office Chair Placement

- Your office desk should be positioned so that you have a clear line of sight of your office door. This will help to protect you from betrayals. It also improves your general feeling of security because you will able to monitor those who enter or leave your office.

- Here are two of the more obvious benefits of Feng Shui but firstly, make sure that your office chair fully supports your back. Secondly, ensure you sit with the wall behind you. If you sit facing the wall you are more likely to encounter difficulties in obtaining promotion and other career path obstacles.

- If you don’t have overall control of your office environment or it is simply not possible to move your office desk, you can negate the problems associated with facing a wall by hanging a painting or picture of a beautiful landscape. This helps to create feelings of abundance and represents opportunity.

- You should avoid sitting with your back to a window because doing so symbolizes a lack of support. From a modern perspective this is another obvious one. Although it is highly unlikely that the ancient Chinese had computer screens, sitting with a window directly behind you could potentially cause screen glare!

- Placing an image or figure of a rooster on your office desk will help to protect you from malicious gossip, backstabbing and other office politics.

- Put a smooth, round object such as a glass crystal or orb on your office desk to negate negative energy and ensure a productive and harmonious working environment.

- Avoid sitting directly opposite a work colleague. Doing so can create a damaging build-up of negative Chi energy and can potentially lead to confrontations and conflicts. If you have no other option other than to sit facing another person in your office, consider mounting an office screen. Don’t forget to hang your picture of a landscape on the office screen! (See point above re. facing a wall).

Office Storage

Clutter is considered to encourage the flow of negative energy in Feng Shui and should be avoided.

- The obvious way to eliminate clutter in your office is to use office storage to help keep your office organised.

- It’s especially important to keep your office desk organised and tidy. This helps you to improve your focus . Once again, this makes a lot of sense from a practical point of view because removing clutter ensures that you are more efficient and productive. It’s also great for increasing your personal sense of wellbeing and positivity.

- Strong colours play an important part in Feng Shui and red is considered to be particularly favourable as an aid to prosperity and wealth generation. Try to incorporate some red office storage as part of your office furniture re-organisation.

- A gap of about 8-inches should be left between your office cupboards, office bookshelves and other office storage. Again this is supposed to encourage a positive flow of energy in the workplace.

Office Meeting Seating Arrangements

- Here’s a great Feng Shui tip if you are conducting an office meeting. Ensure that the office chairs or sofas are arranged into a triangular shape which faces your own office chair or office desk. This subliminally strengthens your position in the room as a centre of power and allows you to more easily take control of the meeting or discussion. It also makes your colleages feel comfortable and at ease.

- An additional benefit of forming this triangle is that it ensures the other meeting participants are all angled slightly towards each other. This creates an ‘all-inclusive’ environment which stimulates the flow of positive energy in the room and aids creativity and brainstorming activities.

If you have any additional tips or Feng Shui advice, please feel free to comment and let us know.

Office Furniture Pranks

1. Tinkering With An Office Chair

I’m not sure if this has been staged or not but the first of these 3 videos shows a prank played on a rather large guy’s office chair.

Hilarious…

3. Office Screen Prank

A classic office cubicle stunt.

This one should get you laughing out loud. A guy phones his colleague and while he is distracted moves his office screen.

Very funny.

4. Office Full Of Junk

For this prank, you will need a cardboard box and a colleague with a window in their office door.

Your cardboard box will need to be slightly bigger than the window. Firstly, cut off one end and tape it to the window with the open end at the top.

Next, fill the box with junk. When your colleague looks through the window it will look like the entire office is full.

5. And Finally – A Very Funny Office Video

Office Desk Guide

When choosing new office furniture, most people will naturally place the most emphasis on choosing an ergonomically designed and comfortable office chair.

However equal consideration should also be given to choosing a suitable office desk for your workspace. This is often overlooked as simply an object of substance and that style and functionality are of little relevance.

In order to provide your employees or indeed yourself with a comfortable and productive working environment, the following points should be considered:

How Will The Office Desk Be Used?

The way your employees use their office desk should of course have an impact on your ultimate choice. These days, it is rare to find an office desk that does not have a computer perched on top.

CPU Holder and Monitor Arm

If your employee is using a desktop computer (rather than a notebook or laptop), it is a good idea to install a CPU holder and monitor arm. This obviously helps to maximise the working area of the office desk and helps to keep it free from clutter.

Cable Management

You may also want to consider different power/data solutions. With a little careful planning, it is possible to create your own cable management solution for your officedesk. For instance, you could let your cables run through cable spines or cable baskets available in various lengths. Our 3WT cable channels stick on to the underside of your desk and allows cables to run through it horizontally.

We can also provide smart power / data solutions that fit into cable baskets or to the desk top. The space saving pop up or flip up versions are hidden in the desk when not required.

Additionally, some of our office desks have multiple cable management solution configurations built in. See our Opteam Office Desk Range for an example.

Office Desk Storage

This is another consideration that often gets neglected, in part due to the fact that most offices have subsidiary storage in the form of cabinets etc.

However, if you want your employees to be productive, efficient and organised it might be beneficial to add complementary storage and pedestal options. This ensures that your staff’s paperwork and stationery is always to hand.

Modesty Screens

If your choice of office desk does not have a pre-fitted screen, you may want to consider this in order to preserve and protect the modesty of your female employees.

Large Office Desks

For senior members of staff such as managers, supervisors and company directors, you will probably want a larger desk to accommodate different types of working scenario. An example of this might be holding a meeting with several people at the same time, all of whom need office desk space for taking notes.

Shaped desks often offer the best solution to these types of scenarios. ‘L’ and ‘U’ shaped office desks are popular choices as they will allow both you and your employees enough space to hold a meeting and have a solid surface for keeping notepads and paperwork.

Style, Colour and Materials

Naturally you will want your office desks to compliment the rest of your office furniture and therefore styling is an important factor to consider.

For instance, an ultra-modern glass desk in an old-fashioned office may stick out like a meat stall at a vegan convention. So you need to decide first of all if you want a glass desk, or a wooden desk. Also, desks are available that come with metal legs. This can provide a further opportunity for concealing cables because some are designed with built-in cable management features.

Additionally, wood desks come in a number of different finishes:

• Laminate
  great value | different finishes and colours available
  
• Metal
  sensibly priced | highly durable
  
• Solid Wood
  high quality | look great | different wood finish options | durable | more expensive than wood veneer
  
• Wood Veneer
  looks fantastic | cheaper than solid wood | less durable than solid wood

Needless to say, there are numerous different colours and shades of wood to choose from. Again you should make sure that your office desk does not clash with your other office furniture.

On a final note, remember that first impressions really do count, so if you want to impress your clients with your office furniture then please read my blog How To Impress Your Clients With Your Office Furniture.

Your Complete Guide To Office Chairs

Did you know that the origin of modern office chairs could possibly be attributed to Charles Darwin?

(Notice my deliberate use of the word ‘origin’!)

It is alleged that he customised a wooden armchair by adding wheels so that he could roll around his study inspecting specimens.

I have already written about the importance of correct posture when sitting on your office chair and in this post I’m going to expound upon this theme a little further.

It is important when sitting for long periods of time that your office chair is ergonomically designed, in other words it must have the ability to cater for an individual’s  needs.

This is done by having features on your chair that allow you to customise support according to your body shape and type. If your office chair is not entirely right for you, it can lead to increased blood pressure and higher blood sugar levels. It could also be a primary cause of repetitive strain injury.

If you think about it, the muscles in your back are constantly working to keep your body upright while you are sitting. Therefore, it is essential that your back is supported at the correct angles. Otherwise you run the risk of straining certain muscle groups in your back and this can lead to discomfort and fatigue as well as constant and persistent pain. Additionally this could potentially leave you susceptible to further injury and subsequently additional medical complications.

According to Dr Notley, a dual credentialed Chiropractor and Athletic Therapist in Winnipeg:

“The best chair that you can use is one that you can get out of frequently. I say this often, “Our body is meant to move, it is not meant to stay in the same place for long periods”.  Staying in one position too long can have negative effects on the body. Ideally, to offset these negative effects,  we should take mini-breaks every 20 minutes or if that is not possible at least every 50 minutes.  Frequent adjusting of your posture is often a benefit as well.”

Tips For Avoiding Back Problems

1. Place your computer screen at eye level

Your screen should be directly in front of you. Place the monitor about an arms length away with the top of the screen roughly at eye level.

Having your computer monitor at the wrong level can place a strain on your eyes leading to dryness and an increased sensitivity to light.

Tip: From time to time, give your eyes a rest and close them. You could also try rolling your eyes around for a minute or so (don’t let your colleagues see or they might think you are having some kind of fit!). Look up at the ceiling and down at the floor. Move your eyes from side to side.

2.  Keep your neck straight and your shoulders relaxed.

Tip: Some office chairs come with a neck support.

If you are prone to neck ache, it would be worth investing in a chair like the one shown in the image.

Office Chair With Neck Support

3. Support Your Back Properly

Did you know that leaning forward in your chair for prolonged periods can put 3-4 times more strain on your back?

You can avoid back pain simply by adjusting your office chair so that your lower back is properly supported. Your office chair should be easily adjustable so that you can change the height, back position and tilt.

Ensure that your knees are level with your hips and your feet are flat on the floor. If necessary, you might need to obtain some kind of footrest. Additionally, you should avoid crossing your legs as this decreases circulation and can cause hip problems.

Tip: It is advisable to get up and walk around every 20-30 minutes. A great excuse to go and put the kettle on!

4. Supporting Your Lower Back

Ideally, your office chair should have adjustable lumbar support to ensure that you do not develop lower back problems.

Tip: You can place a cushion in your lower back area if you don’t have an ergonomic office chair and it doesn’t have lumbar support.

5. Correct Chair Height Adjustment

Ideally, you should be able to use your computer keyboard with your wrists and forearms straight and level with the floor. Keep your elbows by the side of your body, so that your arms form an L-shape at the elbow joint.

Tip: By following this recommendation you can reduce the risk of a repetitive strain injury.

Additional Health Considerations

1. Using Your Keyboard

You should leave a 10-15cm gap between the desk and keyboard so that you can rest your wrists when not typing. Make sure that keyboard is directly in front of you. Also, it is important not to bend your wrists – keep them as straight as you can. Keep your elbows tucked in to your side and vertical with your shoulders.

Tip: Try using a wrist rest if you struggle keeping your wrists straight. They are usually filled with gel and are a great comfort aid if you are likely to embark upon prolonged periods of typing.

2. Using Your Mouse

Keep the mouse close to you while working on your computer and again keep your wrist as straight as possible.

Tip:  In a similar way to the previous tip, you can also get mouse mats with built in gel wrist supports. They can help to make computer work involving your mouse considerably more comfortable.

3. Avoid Screen Glare

To prevent unnecessary screen reflection you should position your monitor so that lighting does not affect your view. You can of course use blinds etc. to prevent sunlight affecting your view of the screen and use the brightness and contrast settings until they are set to a level you are comfortable with.

Tip: Place a mirror in front of your monitor to identify potential light sources that may be causing problem screen reflection and glare

4. Prevent Neck Ache When Using The Phone

Consider using a headset rather than a handset. This is because if you spend prolonged periods with the phone wedged between your ear and shoulder you may begin to suffer neck ache.

5. Avoid Overstretching

Keep objects that you use regularly within easy reach so that you reduce the risk of straining muscles from over stretching.

6. Bifocals

If you are a bifocal wearer and you are constantly moving your head up and down from the monitor to the keyboard, it’s possible you may begin to experience discomfort.

Tip: Consult your optician for alternative solutions

On a final note, there is a useful video on the NHS website that explains how bad posture can lead to health problems including back pain.

Click the following link for our full range of Ergonomic Office Chairs

Hope this helps…

Arne Jacobsen

If you work in the office furniture industry and are asked to cite a famous or notable designer there is a strong chance that the name Arne Jacobsen will be put forward. As a designer , if you are credited with a design that becomes ‘iconic’ you can be justifiably proud. Some would say that FOUR iconic designs is simply greedy!! When you find out that Jacobsen never called himself a ‘designer’ and that furniture design was very much secondary to his main career as an architect, this becomes all the more remarkable.

Born in Copenhagen in 1902, Arne Emil Jacobsen grew up wanting to be a painter. His Father, considering this a most insecure profession, persuaded the young Arne that architecture was a more sensible career choice. Jacobsen attended the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts from 1924-27 and in 1925, while a student there, won a Silver Medal at the Exposition Internationale des Arts Decoralifs et Industriels Modernes for a chair design.

His career as an architect flourished from 1932 until his unexpected death in 1971. Notable commissions during a career in which he was described as a main protagonist of the International Modern Style, were the buildings and grounds for St Catherine’s College, Oxford and the SAS Royal Hotel described at the worlds’ first ‘designer hotel’. It was this hotel commission that that allowed Jacobsen to put into practice his theory of ‘total design’. Jacobsen not only designed the hotel building, he also designed the grounds, all the internal spaces and internal fitments, the furniture and decorations: even the ashtrays for sale in the souvenir shops and the livery of the buses bringing guests from the airport!!

In 1934, Jacobsen teamed up with the well-known, high quality Danish furniture manufacturer Fritz Hansen. This collaboration would continue throughout Jacobsen’s career and would be key to his success as a furniture designer.

The Ant – 1952

This chair was originally designed for the canteen of Danish Healthcare company Novo Nordic and was the breakthrough product from the Jacobsen / Fritz Hansen collaboration. The chair almost failed at the prototype stage, however, as Fritz Hansen was not convinced of the chairs’ commercial potential. Jacobsen was and agreed to personally buy any chairs produced that remained unsold. His faith in the design was justified and The Ant, with its three legs and ultra-modern look became the first Arne Jacobsen ‘icon’.

Series 7 – 1955

How do you follow the fact that your first chair gains iconic status? By ensuring that your second one does too!! The Series 7 chair is considered to represent the ultimate use of the laminator’s art: the process of bonding different layers of wood in different directions and then steam bending them into shape. This technique was perfected in the Fritz Hansen factory and Jacobsen pushed the boundaries of their skill to create this iconic shape. If you create icons, be prepared for them to be copied!! The Series 7 is considered to be the worlds’ most copied chair with millions sold every year based on the original design. The most famous example of a copy in popular culture? Look no further than the classic Lewis Moody shot of Christine Keeler.

Is this an Arne Jacobsen Series 7 chair?

No it isn’t!! Jacobsen never built a hand-hold aperture into his chairs but the use of a chair so similar for a photo that took the world by storm simply reinforced Jacobsen’s status.

The Egg and The Swan – 1958

Egg Easy Chair

Swan Easy Chair

The Radisson SAS Royal Hotel in Copenhagen was the commission that allowed Jacobsen to pursue his idea of ‘total design’. It also resulted in the creation of these two extraordinary chairs that were used in the Lobby and Reception areas of the hotel. Jacobsen’s inherent understanding of what looked and felt right allowed him to create these furniture pieces that were ‘all curves, no solid lines’ to be placed in a building that was resolutely linear.

Radisson SAS Hotel Lobby Copenhagen

Original Reception from 1960

In the late 1950’s the production processes used to create these chairs were technologically extremely innovative. A moulded synthetic shell was covered in a layer of cold cured foam which was then upholstered in either fabric or leather. The original prototypes of these chairs were made in Jacobsen’s garage, perfected by Fritz Harris and have been in continuous production ever since.

Four iconic designs, one great designer.

Mesh Office Chairs

In this post I want to talk about the importance of correct posture when sitting for long periods of time at your office desk.

A healthy sitting position is one in which your head is balanced on your vertebral column and your neck muscles are relaxed.

You should sit in an open posture with your chest leading and shoulders back. This creates the correct balance between neck, shoulder and upper limb muscles.

Your lumbar spine should be upright and knees below the level of your hips. Increasing the angle between the trunk and thigh encourages the spine into an upright posture which may reduce and even disc pressure.

This is why it is so important to choose the right office chair either for yourself or your office staff. You need one which allows you to independently adjust the lumbar support, seat depth and height as well as arm positioning. After all, the last thing you want is employees who develop back problems and consequently have to take time off work.

If you take a look at the image below, sitting incorrectly leaves your head sitting anterior to your body resulting in tension to your neck muscles.

Additionally, your shoulders are rounded and chest muscles shortened, increasing the risk of developing a work related upper limb disorder.

Also, your lumbar spine is slumped and knees are above the level of your hips. This leads to increased pressure through the lumbar discs and excessive ligament and muscle stretch in your lumbar spine.

Therefore, we recommend the Loreto Mesh Chair which has all the ergonomic features you need to ensure that you do not experience any discomfort while sitting for prolonged periods.