The office furniture blog

OK New years resolutions. We've all done them. Some people's will be to join a gym, other to quit smoking. Some people will be determined to sort out the garden, others to get a better job. Well how about when you go back in on January the 2nd, having a good clear out in the office? Is your desks looking a bit of a state? Clutter and junk can be a real obstacle to good working practice, In my opinion new year is a good time to get rid of all this junk.

Firstly because it's traditionally one of the quietest times of the year, which means there is no better time to get into action. Secondly because after the Christmas break there's no better cure for the festive hangover than a good clean-up, and that goes for the home as well as the office.

So if your feeling a bit gloomy about the Christmas season coming to an end, why not grab a black bin bag, clear out all the junk in that cupboard that's been hoarding rubbish for the past 12 months, get your desks clean and you should feel a lot better. Happy new year everyone!

OK people who work at a computer screen all day chance are you could be spending 40 hours a week in the office chairs you have purchased. This article is for you. It seems that there are still many people out there who are jeopardising their safety to save a few quid. So you need some new office chairs? Hit EBay and wham! You got a set of 4 for under 100 quid. After all it look like a good enough chair so why pay more than you have to? 1 office chair is much like another right?

WRONG

Too many companies are now selling these cheap office chairs - put together in East Asian sweat shops and available under 20 pounds - and advertising them as the genuine article. These chairs often cause back injuries and other health problems because unlike higher quality items that are designed to support your back, many cheap import are simply designed to look the part and nothing else. The plastic bases break when you move in them, the backs start wobbling, the chair is uncomfortable to sit in... guys, spend the extra money and buy a proper chair, your health is too important!

Employers need to start applying ergonomic principles when selecting the correct office chairs for their workers. People come in all shapes and sizes and you simply CANNOT buy the same chair for every single one and believe you are doing them anything but harm. Find a good supplier with a wealth of experience in supplying these items and they should be able to advise you one what chairs are best for your employees individual needs. And remember, these chairs usually have to last for years - buying a chair that saves you 20 quid but lasts 12 months instead of 10 years is a false economy by anyone's standards. These cheap imported office chairs are fine for the study at home, but for the work place they are best avoided.

So for employees the benefits are clear - better health - but also for employers there are also clear positives too; happier workers and less absenteeism is good for business. Make sure you don't underestimate the importance of a good office chair.

It's a dispute as old as office furniture itself; what material is the best for use in the office. Leather has always had a touch of class about it, but on a hot summers day is it really all it's cracked up to be?

When it comes to office chairs, my personal preference leans towards the fabric items. They are more comfy in extreme hot and cold, and while leather might look and feel nice there is no substitute for a fabric office chair.

How about durability? Leather has often been thought of as more durable than fabric, but in recent times office furniture manufacturers have begun to develop fabrics that can outlast all but the toughest leathers.

As time goes on I'm sure fabric office chairs will be the choice people make for the office.