Ergonomic Furniture in Workplace Wellness Interior Design

workplace wellness ergonomic furniture biofilico — Casa Biofilico, Barcelona, Spain

As organizations become more aware of the importance of employee wellbeing and the role of a healthy workplace on physical and mental health, having a comprehensive workplace wellness strategy is becoming a key aspect of any successful business.

Besides office space interventions such as biophilic design with natural elements, one other major factor that contributes to promoting health in a work environment is the specific office furniture used in the workspace.

This article will explore the importance of ergonomic office furniture within the wider context of healthy office design and a healthy coworking space strategy.

Introduction to Workplace Wellness and the Importance of Ergonomic Office Furniture

Workplace wellness programs are becoming more popular as employers recognize the benefits of creating a healthy work environment, so whether the focus is to enhance productivity or creative thinking, interior designers such as ourselves with an interest in physical wellbeing need to be up to speed on ergonomic furniture.

Before we get into the details though, let us consider what else might be included in a healthy office strategy to provide some context. Nowadays, HR departments typically include everything from healthy eating initiatives to exercise programs and consideration for the design of the work environment itself.

A company culture designed to encourage employees to adopt healthy habits, be that stepping away from their computer screens during a lunch hour to take in some natural surroundings in a nearby park or adopting a flexible working regime to balance responsibilities at home.

Ergonomic furniture may seem like a minor detail in such a broad context of workplace design but for those office jobs that still involve long days in front of a computer screen, the choice of workspace furniture, desk and chair can have a tangible impact on staff wellness, in particular their physical health.

Prolonged sitting in offices without large windows for natural light on an uncomfortable chair or with an incorrect desk set-up can over time create stress.

What is ergonomic furniture in a healthy office environment?

Ergonomic office furniture can include chairs, desks, keyboard trays, and monitor stands. These pieces of workplace design are intended to support the body and minimize the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

By investing in ergonomic office furniture, small businesses and corporations alike can reduce the risk of injuries and promote employee health in general.

Understanding Active Design and How it Impacts Workplace Wellness

Active design is a concept that aims to create environments that encourage physical activity and movement. It incorporates things like stair use instead of elevators, standing desks and collaborative spaces instead of spending the entire day locked into a chair, as well as open-plan office layouts that encourage interaction and movement.

As part of a healthy office strategy for mental and physical wellbeing, active design can have a significant impact on workplace wellness. By incorporating movement into the workday, organizations can reduce the risk of health problems associated with sedentary behavior.

Standing desks, for example, can help reduce the risk of back pain, improve circulation, and promote alertness. By incorporating biophilic design, plenty of natural light and adequate ventilation into the workspace, organizations can create a more comfortable and healthy environment for employees.

Let's be clear, by itself ergonomic furniture is not enough to promote health in a work environment, or not to a level that we would consider appropriate for any of our clients, for that we need a comprehensive approach to the working environment and employee health.

What to Consider When Choosing Ergonomic Office Furniture

When choosing ergonomic office furniture, there are several factors to consider. First, the specific needs of your employees. This includes their height, weight, and any pre-existing medical conditions that may affect their comfort levels in their immediate work environment.

It is also important to consider the type of work being performed. Some jobs may require more movement or flexibility than others. For example, employees who spend most of their day typing may benefit from an adjustable keyboard tray to reduce strain on their wrists.

Heavy artificial lighting and an unsuitable colour scheme in the office interiors will only add to their woes in such circumstances, going against the grain of enhanced creativity.

Another practical factor to consider is the adjustability of the furniture. Ergonomic office furniture should be adjustable to accommodate different body types and postures. This will help ensure that every employee is comfortable and able to work efficiently, meaning increased productivity for the businesses in question and a happier team overall.

Benefits of Ergonomic Office Furniture for Workplace Wellbeing

There are several benefits to investing in ergonomic office furniture for workplace wellbeing. First and foremost, ergonomic office furniture can reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders.

This includes things like back pain and neck pain. No matter how many healthy interior design interventions are made, if the office environments do not encourage creativity or reduce stress because the office worker is in physical discomfort all day, there is a fundamental problem in front of us.

Ergonomic office furniture will reduce discomfort and promote good posture. When employees are comfortable, they are better able to focus on their work and complete tasks efficiently, especially if they also have the option to move from a sitting to a standing position thanks to a sit-stand desk, ideally one with an electric motor rather than manual wind.

In addition, ergonomic office furniture in an office building can improve employee morale. Throughout the corporate world, when employees feel that their employer cares about their wellbeing, they are more likely to perform well, stress levels will be lower and working life will be easier for all parties concerned.

Healthy office ergonomic furniture clearly isn't the answer to every workplace woe... but it isn't going to cause any complaints either and will surely be seen as a benefit by just about any team.

How Healthy Materials and Indoor Air Quality Impact Workplace Wellness

In addition to ergonomic design, it is important to consider the materials used in office furniture and the bigger picture of indoor environmental quality in office spaces, this is now a recognised threat to public health that can lead to long-term respiratory problems when not addressed upfront.

Many traditional office furniture materials contain VOCs, or volatile organic compounds, which can be harmful to human health.

Choosing furniture made from healthy materials can help reduce the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Materials like bamboo, cork, and recycled wood are environmentally friendly and non-toxic but for the majority of office furniture, we will be looking for trusted wellness oriented furniture manufacturers and individual products with specific certifications such as Healthy Product Declarations (HPDs) or Cradle2Cradle.

Indoor air quality is another important factor in workplace wellness. Poor indoor air quality can cause headaches, fatigue, and respiratory problems. By using natural materials and promoting good ventilation, organizations can create a healthier work environment for employees.

Some of our favourite healthy office furniture brands suitable for a wide range of office space designs are:

Actiu, Spain: https://www.actiu.com/es/
Benchmark, UK: https://benchmarkfurniture.com/sustainability/
HumanScale, US: https://www.humanscale.com/about/csr/net-positive-products.cfm
Herman Miller, US: https://www.hermanmiller.com/products/portfolios/thrive-ergonomic-portfolio/
Flexspor, Spain: https://www.flexispot.es/escritorios-de-altura-ajustable.html
Fully, USA: https://www.fully.com/
Green Furniture Concept, Sweden: https://greenfc.com/us

Designing a Healthy Workspace with Ergonomic Furniture

Designing a healthy workspace involves more than just choosing the right furniture for physical health and comfort.

As office design consultants, we also need to consider how to create a layout that promotes low levels of regular movement and encourages social interaction, even in an era when social distancing will remain in the public imagination for an entire generation to come.

Open floor plans and communal spaces can of course encourage collaboration and movement throughout the day but they can also come with their own unique issues such as noise pollution and reduced acoustic comfort - we didn't say this was going to be simple!

Overall though, we try to encourage anyone responsible for managing their work environment to consider making standing desks and walking meetings an acceptable workplace policy, with actual exercise or stretching / yoga style breaks an additional, optional extra depending on the specific workplace culture in question.

Best Ergonomic Office Furniture for a Healthy Workplace

There are many different types of ergonomic office furniture to choose from that can be incorporated into a range of interior design styles for a healthy office, whether sustainable or biophilic design.

Some of the best options for a healthy workplace include:

Adjustable standing desks, for example by Fully
Ergonomic chairs with lumbar support, for example by Herman Miller
Adjustable keyboard trays, for example by Logitech
Monitor stands to reduce eye strain, for example by Human Scale
Footrests to reduce pressure on the feet, for example by Fully

When choosing ergonomic office furniture, it is especially important to consider the specific needs of your employees and the type of work being performed, there is simply no one size fits all solution in such situations, which is why you may need to bring in a workplace wellness design consultant to provide expert advice.

Coworking Spaces and Workplace Wellness - What to Look for in Shared Office Furniture

Coworking spaces are becoming increasingly popular as more people choose to work remotely and freelancers look for a place to work outside of their homes that has an interior design adapted to their professional life.

These shared workspaces can offer many benefits, including access to a community of like-minded individuals and a more flexible work environment, outside of tech company offices this is also where we see the most innovation in office design concepts and the prioritization of wellbeing in the work environment.

When choosing coworking spaces, it is important to consider the quality of the shared office furniture. The furniture should be ergonomic and adjustable to accommodate different body types and postures. It is also important to consider the cleanliness of the workspace and the quality of indoor air.

Conclusion and Next Steps for Revamping Your Workplace Wellness with Ergonomic Office Furniture

Investing in ergonomic office furniture is a key aspect of creating a healthy work environment. By choosing furniture that supports the body and promotes movement, organizations can reduce the risk of injuries and improve productivity.

When choosing ergonomic office furniture, it is important to consider the specific needs of your employees, the type of work being performed, and the quality of materials and indoor air. By designing a healthy workspace that encourages movement and social interaction, organizations can create a more comfortable and productive work environment.

If you are interested in revamping your workplace wellness program and choosing ergonomic office furniture, contact us to discuss your workplace wellness consulting needs. We can provide guidance and recommendations for creating a healthier work environment for your employees.

Furniture in Workplace Wellness Interior Design: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing Ergonomic Office Furniture