Category: BLOG

Many of the office furniture Sydney we use are most likely made of a blend of materials, including wood, metal and plastic. One of the major decisions in office design is choosing the type of furniture and materials that fits into both the style and space. Apart from offering an environmental friendly option, wooden materials are cost-effective and long lasting. Recommended by furniture experts for its many benefits; wooden furniture stands out in any modern office. Wooden office furniture apart from being beautiful also provides some extra added benefits you may well not have before considered. Read on to discover how your office can benefit by incorporating additional wooden office furniture into your workspace.

The Health Factor

Office Furniture Made from Wood

Without explaining, we all know wood is a natural substance. When you take more natural materials into the office, the health benefits help boost employee performance, morale, and general wellbeing. Studies done by different organizations have shown that office furniture made from wood material can help relieve stress. It can also help reduce anxiety and improve mood in employees. When experts and employees spend most of their day indoors, it can become a mundane and draining experience. Incorporating natural material helps blend some nature into the workplace. Besides, wooden furniture
also contributes to improved air quality by maintaining humidity levels. Eventually, offices that have more wooden office furniture have seen less staff illness and enhanced morale in general.

The Practical Factor

The previously discussed health benefits set in motion practical benefits, including improved productivity. When staffs personally feel better, they are encouraged to devote more time and energy into their everyday tasks. Wood is also an appealing material for professionals of all backgrounds and age groups. It’s a substance that can in fact help reduce the gap between various generations in a particular workplace. Furthermore, wood is one of the most visually charming materials you can get. The possibilities are more or less never-ending when it comes to tone, style, and richness. Wooden office furniture Sydney can flawlessly blend into any style of office design, making your business look more environmentally conscious, established, and more focused in your management.

The Cost Factor

Don’t be scared by the possible price tags of most wooden furniture. There are a lot of options open for blending wooden furniture into your workplace that are pocket friendly. Consider using recycled and refurbished materials Office Chairs Brisbane.

Error: Contact form not found.

Fitting out your office can be an exciting time, with the opportunity to create something aesthetically pleasing, efficient and reflective of your business. For many businesses it can also be a time of great expense and with so many options available it can seem a little overwhelming. Spending time answering a few simple questions can help keep you on track and get the fit out right first time.

1. “Why am I doing this?”

Whether you are expanding your business, restructuring your entire office or moving to a new location it is important to keep your goal in mind throughout your project planning. Listing your objectives is a good way to stay on track and prevent unnecessary overspending and loss of time and energy.

2.“How much would I like to spend?”

It is far easier to shop for quotes when you have a budget. It is also important to remember that there will likely be additional charges for delivery and installation and to account for this. Depending on the size of your project you may also need to account for moving costs, electricals and telecommunications. Allocating a cost per staff member or per square metre can help you assess the difference between worth and value.

3.“How would I like to represent my brand?”

Your new office design should reflect and be an extension of your brand. From colour schemes to the general feel of the layout there are multiple ways of achieving this. If you often have clients visiting the office think about what you want their first impression of your business to be.

4.“What do my brand and staff need?”

Accurately assessing the requirements of your workforce is key to maintaining a healthy budget, flow within the work space and ideally increasing workplace efficiency.

Think about the different spaces that your office requires – do you need a formal meeting room or could you have a more informal communal area? It is important to make the most of the space you have available – there is little point using a large area of floor space for a formal conference room that will be used just a few times a year.

Do you staff work individually or in teams? Cubicles may work better for staff working alone where as an open plan or ‘hot desk’ design can work well for teams.

Involving staff members in these discussions can not only make them feel valued but can help create a workplace that works for them.

5.“What extras and electricals might I need?”

Buying a desk can seem like a straight forward process but there are a number of key issues that need careful consideration.

Think about your power and data requirements; how are your computers and telecommunications going to be connected? Do you need wiring or cable holes to hide unsightly electrical cables?

Think about your workplace ergonomics; would monitor arms or sit-stand desks help keep your staff comfortable and efficient?

6.“What are my plans for the future?”

It is important to consider your plans for the future in order to make the most of the space and budget available. Do you fit your office to your current requirements or what you expect to need as your business grows? Having an idea of how you expect your business to change over coming years can help with this. The ideal office space works well for today and has the ability to adapt for tomorrow.

Ready to start shopping or still confused? Our Danny’s Design service consultants are available to help! We offer free, no obligation measure ups, quotes and drawings. Contact us in store for details.

It is well recognised that the workplace environment and furniture contribute to performance when it comes to productivity and creativity. With the number of average hours worked in Australia each week decreasing over time, it is more important than ever that these hours are used as efficiently and productively as possible.

In order to boost workplace efficiency employers need to consider three main factors – atmosphere, comfort and layout. A number of simple changes in these key areas can help achieve the productive workplace that your business requires.

1. Atmosphere

Imagine walking into a dark office with drab, mismatched, uncomfortable furniture. Next, imagine walking into a bright, stylish office with modern, ergonomic furniture that is well laid out and allows employees to work both individually and collaboratively. It is easy to see which office will inspire both creativity and increased productivity.

Lighting and ventilation

Studies have revealed that a person’s productivity increases by more than 60% when working in a well-ventilated workplace filled with natural light.  Choosing dimmer lights instead of overhead lamps in offices that need extra lighting can avoid fatigue and headaches.

Use of colour

Colour is known to play an important role on a person’s mindset, with an ability to have both calming and stimulating effects. Think about the atmosphere you are trying to create – is it stress free and soothing or vibrant and bright?

Greenery

The use of greenery and indoor plants can help in creating both a soothing and visually stimulating workspace whilst improving air quality.

The shape of your furniture

Consider purchasing a round table for office meetings or collaborative work. Sitting around a round table encourages teamwork and a greater sense of cohesion.

2. Comfort

It is important to consider the comfort and health of your employees when attempting to optimise workplace efficiency. Ergonomic, well designed chairs help promote better posture, whilst standing desks have been shown in one study to increase energy throughout the day whilst reducing stress and fatigue.

3. Layout

Spending time critically analysing the configuration of your office space can lead to huge gains when it comes to productivity.

Involve your staff and ask questions.

• Do your staff work predominantly individually or in teams?
• Do they need fixed desks or would more flexible working arrangements (such as hot desking) suit?
• Do you need a formal meeting room or would a more informal breakout space that doubles as a meeting and collaborative working area suffice?
• Could you divide the room with furniture or partitions to offer a choice of flexible working environments?

Creating the ideal office atmosphere with comfortable, well laid out furniture will go a long way to getting the right results from your staff, allowing them to focus entirely on the work at hand and delivering the productivity your business deserves.

Ready to get started or still confused? Our Danny’s Design service consultants are available to help! We offer free, no obligation measure ups, quotes, advice and drawings. Contact us in store for details.

Ergonomics is the process of arranging workplaces, products or systems to fit the particular needs of the employee. It seeks to build an environment that betters performance, enhances productivity and improves workers health.

With the average Australian clerical worker spending 22hours each week sitting whilst at work (Australian Health Survey 2011-2012) and recent evidence linking prolonged sitting to increased rates of musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, some cancers and even premature death (Safe Work Australia), having an ergonomic office is more important than ever.

Whilst sitting and your choice of office chair are key issues, ergonomics goes beyond these and looks at the function of the workplace as a whole, including fittings, lay-out and lighting.

Chairs

Ergonomic chairs are designed to correct and support your posture whilst maintaining good neck and spine alignment.

Chairs with contoured seats will help to even out weight distribution and take pressure off the lower back.Those with the ability to adjust the seat height, depth and tilt allow you to adopt the ideal sitting position with hips, knees and ankles at 90degrees regardless of the length of your legs. Chairs with adjustable back rests and tilt allow you to place the lumbar support exactly where you need it, whilst those with adjustable arm rests can reduce the pressure placed on the shoulders and neck by supporting the elbows.

A good ergonomic office chair should allow you to move freely and to access all parts of your workstation without the need to strain. If your office is carpeted a chair mat may assist with this.

Desks and accessories

Choose a desk that is an appropriate height for your natural sitting position. If you often change position throughout the day, choosing a height adjustable or sit-stand desk may be beneficial. Computer monitors should be fitted at eye level and should be at an appropriate distance to prevent straining. Keyboards should be at a distance that allow both the wrists and elbows to be supported; if your workspace does not allow this choosing a chair with adjustable arms rests can assist.

Choosing the right ergonomic furniture for your office

Every office and employee will have different needs.It is important, where able, to involve your staff in making the workplace a space that works for them.

Be sure to trial furniture in store prior to purchase. At our Sunshine Coast showroom, you can trial any of our chairs with the assistance of our team of dedicated and experienced staff. For those a bit further afield or wanting a longer trial period we offer ‘Danny’s trial service’. This service allows you to try one of our chairs, free of charge in your workplace Australia-wide (exclusions apply).

Still unsure or ready to get started? Contact us instore!

The average Australian clerical or admin worker will spend on average 22hours each week sitting whilst at work (Australian Health Survey 2011-2012). Prolonged sitting has been identified as an emerging workplace health and safety issue with evidence demonstrating that it is linked to increasing rates of musculoskeletal disorders, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, mental health, some cancers and even premature death (Safe Work Australia). A 2014 study by the University of Sydney found that lower back pain due to workplace factors accounted for a third of all work-related disability worldwide.

Whilst it may not be possible to reduce the amount of time spent sitting in your office, there are things you can do to reduce the demands it places on your body, particularly your musculoskeletal system. The first step is making sure you have the right office chair, but how do you know what to look for? Here we list our top 7 tips for picking the right chair for you and your staff.

1.Look for seat breathability

Modern fabrics such as mesh are great for breathability, increasing air flow to the lumbar region whilst providing comfort and support by moulding to the lower back.

2.Look for a contoured seat

Contoured seats help to evenly distribute body weight, providing comfort whilst taking pressure off the lower back. Their unique design also helps to prevent compression of the thighs, buttocks and behind the knees. 

3.Look after your spine by looking for a chair that evenly distributes weight

Modern office chairs can have up to 6 different features that enable you to make adjustments to your chair to optimise comfort and support. Adjusting the seat height, depth and tilt allow you to adopt the ideal sitting position with hips, knees and ankles at 90degrees regardless of the length of your legs.Those with adjustable back rests and tilt allow you to place the lumbar support exactly where you need it, whilst adjustable arm rests can reduce the pressure placed on the shoulders and neck by supporting the elbows. The right chair should be quick and simple to adjust meaning that you can easily adopt a comfortable position when changing chair

4.Look for an adjustable chair

Modern office chairs can have up to 6 different features that enable you to make adjustments to your chair to optimise comfort and support. Adjusting the seat height, depth and tilt allow you to adopt the ideal sitting position with hips, knees and ankles at 90degrees regardless of the length of your legs.Those with adjustable back rests and tilt allow you to place the lumbar support exactly where you need it, whilst adjustable arm rests can reduce the pressure placed on the shoulders and neck by supporting the elbows. The right chair should be quick and simple to adjust meaning that you can easily adopt a comfortable position when changing chairs.

5.Look for mobility

A good office chair should allow you to move freely and to access all parts of your workstation without the need to strain. If your office is carpeted consider purchasing a chair mat to assist with this.

6.Involve your staff

If you are buying chairs for employees try to involve them where possible. What suits one staff member may not necessarily suit someone else.

7.Test drive it

At our Sunshine Coast showroom, you can trial any of our chairs with the assistance of our team of dedicated and experienced staff. For those a bit further afield or wanting a longer trial period we offer ‘Danny’s trial service’. This service allows you to try one of our chairs, free of charge in your workplace Australia-wide (exclusions apply).

Still unsure? Contact us instore to arrange a free, no obligation seating assessment for your office.