Wednesday, 17 December 2014

How Ergonomic Furniture Can Make You Work Better

Ergonomic furniture is enjoying massive popularity for the last ten years. The increasing availability of the Internet across the globe somehow made this possible, as more and more industries get wired to facilitate communication. This means longer hours sitting down and getting online. Problems that resulted from this included pain in the back, arms and wrists for long hours of sitting down, typing and clicking a mouse. Ergonomic furniture became the answer to minimising neck and eye strain and other pain in the body one gets from sitting and staring at the computer monitor for long hours. How exactly does ergonomic furniture do this?
Consider that a common source of work-related neck pain is often a computer monitor that is placed at an incorrect height. An ergonomic computer desk will have an elevated platform for a desktop monitor so it is elevated to eye level. If you're using a laptop, there are also relatively cheap shelf-like products that can lift the laptop to a proper height. Then you won't have to bend your neck to look downward. Doing this for hours and can terribly strain your neck.
Joint and muscle pain in the wrist and forearm often comes from holding them in locked positions over a mouse or keyboard. For this, ergonomic gel pads can be placed just in front of the keyboard and mouse for the wrist to rest on while you're typing away or clicking the mouse. The pads allow your wrist to relax, reducing the tension that can come up through the forearm to the elbow when you have to type or click for long hours.
An ergonomic office chair includes tilt-control in its design. The tilt-control feature allows the user to adjust how much the chair tilts, while he/she is sitting on it. In an ordinary chair, we shift our body weight and the chair tilts in one direction or the other. With a heavier person, the chair will tilt too much under his/her weight. Tilt-control in an ergonomic chair makes it possible for the user to adjust the range so the chair will not shift beyond a certain point. Hence, an ergonomic chair is one that is comfortable and flexible while remaining safe to use.

Ergonomic furniture also comes in the form of an office chair that can be adjusted to various back/seat angles and heights to avoid physical pain such as back and neck pain. You have to be conscious not to stay in one position for too long, hence the need to adjust the chair's angle and height to whatever task you're currently doing. Stretching or rising up will loosen your muscles and avoid pain.

The Importance of Classroom Furniture

It is becoming increasingly obvious that classroom furniture is very important. Both you and your students need to be comfortable at all times. More and more of our classroom furniture is being ergonomically designed to minimize the squirming that is prevalent when furniture doesn't fit properly. Along with this, it is important that furniture is 100 percent functional as well. The right classroom furniture is essential to an overall good experience, day after day. Here are some comments about the most frequently purchased classroom furniture.
Teachers Desk
As a teacher you know how important it is to have a desk that you are comfortable using. This is your work station, and you must make sure that it meets your every need. From grading papers to setting up your computer, this is where you will do most of your work. Make sure your teacher's desk is comfortable, big enough to suit all your needs, and has enough storage for any and all of your items.
Filing Cabinets
Even though filing cabinets may sound a bit "old school" these are still a very important part of any classroom. If you are having major issues with disorganization there is a good chance that you are not taking full advantage of a filing cabinet. Just one of these cabinets can go a long way in keeping your paper in order, and cutting back on the mess that you have on your desk. Purchase a filing cabinet to go next to your desk - this is one of the best pieces of classroom furniture that you will ever come across.
Desks for Young Students
When considering classroom furniture you need to think long and hard about the desks for your students. Along with this, your purchase should be based largely on the age group. Younger students need a different type desk than older students. Along with the right size, make sure your desks have areas where students can store materials. This way they do not lose their supplies, and can have a work station of their own.

Desks for Older Students
Older students have lockers, so they do not need a desk with storage. That being said, you must still consider what you are buying. These desks will have a smaller surface. The best ones have a groove at the top of the desk for holding a pen or pencil. In many cases, the desk and chair are attached.
Shelving

When buying classroom furniture you may overlook the importance of shelving. You may be able to get away with not having shelves, but you don't want to do without. This is a great place to store everything from books to learning tools to classroom materials and much more. Along with this, you may even allow your students to use the shelves if you have enough room.

Friday, 5 December 2014

Choosing Quality Classroom Furniture

The Importance of Choosing Quality Classroom Furniture
Educational furniture should be considered an investment in the future of an institution so choosing high quality classroom furniture is top priority. Quality furniture plays a vital role in education and can even improve learning among students. It plays a key part in education and is necessary for students, faculty and staff members alike. School furniture includes desks, chairs, tables and shelves among many other pieces and the ingredients that make each piece quality depend on its particular functions.
Student and Faculty Desks
Both the students and faculty of a school use their desks as a primary piece of furniture in the learning process. Throughout the year desks take consistent and repetitive use so it is important to choose high quality materials and the best functionality possible for this particular piece. Use sturdy built designs with solid wood or reinforced particle board for the tops and steel in the framing for a desk that will stand up to year after year of abuse.
The desk’s top should be coated for protection of the woods to keep the furniture pieces free of graffiti, scratches and scuffs. Good looking furniture creates a positive environment and promotes better attitudes towards learning. In addition to lament coatings on the wood surfaces, desks for younger children grade school ages should have an added layer of safety with covered screw and rounded corners.
High Quality Classroom Seating
Students spend on average 6 or more hours each school day seated at desks while teachers often spend countless hours of overtime in addition to daily learning hours. Uncomfortable seating can actually lead to spinal and back problems in growing children and irritate a faculty members’ joint. Studies have shown that high school age students complaining of back problems show medical signs of the negative effects on spines through x-ray, victims of years in poor seating.


Uncomfortable seating can also make students restless which can affect their abilities to concentrate and absorb vital information. Student chairs should be contoured to meet the natural curves in the back and have bottom seating designed for hours of sitting. Teacher and faculty chairs should also be contoured but with an added layer of comfort in padded seating. Each faculty chair should have padded bottoms, backing and if possible arms as well. Computer chairs should also add comfortable seating as more schools transform during the technology age.

The Importance of Good Classroom Furniture

Classroom furniture is important not only for comfort and aesthetics but for the function it serves within the classroom environment. While deciding on what is needed in a classroom is a personal choice, it is essential to consider how the furniture complements the subject being taught and the comfort of the students.
The Basics
Most classroom furniture will be used by hundreds of students over many years. Quality furniture is needed to meet the demands of time. The type of furniture for a particular classroom is driven by the age of the students and the teacher's presentation of a lesson. The size of the classroom and the number of students it accommodates are also essential factors.
Student
Consideration of the students who will use the classroom shouldl drive the choice of furniture. Age is one factor. Kindergartners require smaller and different types of furniture compared with high school seniors. It is also important to take into account any disabilities students may have. For example, if the teacher has a student who uses a wheel chair, she needs to have a table to accommodate that student rather than the traditional desk with built-in chair. Whether furniture can be arranged to allow for personal space should be taken into account as well.
Types
There are many types of classroom furniture, even though desks and chairs may be the only items that come immediately to mind. In addition to different type of seating and table configurations, there are shelves, "cubbies", and other organizational furniture to consider. Durability an important factor when investigating any classroom furniture.

Considerations
The number of students within a classroom must be taken into account in terms of comfort and safety . Furniture must allow students to move comfortably without creating congestion in any one area. If cooperative learning is a goal of the teacher, the classroom furniture needs to be easily and safely movable. According to Cooperative Learning Classroom, student tables and chairs should not be connected and should be able to be used for individual work and then brought together for group work.
Benefits

There are social benefits to be gained from a good choice of classroom furniture. With movable tables and chairs, students gain a better understanding of teamwork and social skills. Also, furniture designed for specific learning environments is conducive to better learning. If classroom furniture fits the student and subject, students can better focus on learning.

Friday, 21 November 2014

Office Space Planning Services in Gujarat

We are a team of office design, CAD and space planning specialists able to cover the Vadodara, Gujarat, India. From our Vadodara office, we can offer solutions to all your office accommodation needs, whether it be space planning(office design), interior design, or maximising your office space. Using the latest technology we can redesign your office to make it work for you.
Our staff can advise exactly how many people could be accommodated within your site; identify areas that are under-utilised; produce reports showing what size areas are occupied by each team, and produce proposals to reduce your costs.
An efficient office design is crucial to the running of an efficient company and our office design service can transform the way your business runs. We are able to show you how your office would look if you were to alter the partitioning layout; giving you options for a more open plan environment, or perhaps an executive suite, or even flexible partitioning for meeting and training rooms. Our office design service looks at all aspects of your office, such as heating, lighting, power and data supply, and we are even able to produce 3d CAD models and photo-realistic visuals helping you to see how our designs would transform your space.


Spandan Enterprises are office space planning specialists. We are able to produce accurate CAD
plans of your existing office layout and use these to carry out our comprehensive office space planning service. This can include several options showing how to make the most of your office accommodation including minimal expenditure, minimal disruption, maximum density, or even a complete office space planning overhaul. We are able to work with your existing furniture, or to recommend new and can even help you to visualise your new office design and space with 3d visuals and full colour space plans.

Along with our core space planning service we are now able to offer Office Fit Out Services (office design and build). Our team has many years of experience that will enable us to make the best use of your office space, and to complete the project from drawing through to installation. Whether you need to fit in extra desks, would like to use efficient space planning to minimise your use of office space, or would like a complete overhaul, we can help. We are able to incorporate new office environments (such as hotdesks, touchdown, breakout or even internet cafes) and can use intelligent space planning (office design) to change the way your staff work (increasing communication, improving privacy for teams, and even improving efficiency and productivity).

Planning Office Spaces

Planning Office Spaces: a practical guide for managers and designers

When planning a new office, designers and their clients are faced with many challenges and questions. They have to think about practical issues such as spatial needs, proximity relations, IT infrastructure and furniture, but also more strategic issues such as occupancy costs, effectiveness of the working environment, and environmental impact.

One of the most fundamental questions during the briefing stage concerns the office concept: what kind of office design best suits the working processes and culture of the organization? Should all employees have their own workstation or are they going to share desks? Would enclosed offices or a more open working environment be better? Perhaps a solution that holds the middle is best? How many and what kind of meeting spaces do we need?

Friday, 7 November 2014

Modular Office Furniture

Big tables and chairs in an office are not really appreciated by anyone. Nowadays, with the look and feel of an office becoming a more important aspect to employees and clients, there are a varied range of furniture and interiors which provide perfect solutions. This not only attracts your employees and clients, but also gives them a good work environment henceforth leading to productivity.
Unlike the olden days, where there use to be just two or three varieties of furniture, now there is a huge range of furniture from a small chair to a big workstation. This furniture not only gives a look and feel, but also gives a huge level of comfort and satisfaction. The only hitch is to select the appropriate furniture which will suit your office. Now, there is an even better solution where you can opt for modular office furniture. These types of furniture are designed in such a way that they are easy to fix, re-fix or repair as the need demands. You can also find a huge variety of colors and designs in these modular office furniture pieces. As modular office furniture is light weight, they can be moved from one place to another without difficulty.
Modular office furniture can play an integral part in an office. They are cleanly made with just the right dimensions and standard units. Hence; when you buy this furniture, it will last a very long time. There are a few things which are to be considered before deciding on modular office furniture. Basically, need is everything. So, consider all of the furniture that you will require and how much will be needed. Next is to plan where that furniture is to be placed. This can give you a fair idea of what size and what design will fit in to make your office look good. The next important thing is the cost. Immediately when you think of modular furniture, it gives an image of very posh furniture which is not affordable to buy. But actually that's not true. Although they are posh, the cost of this furniture is not too high. You will be able to get these furniture pieces even at a low price without compromising on anything.
There are many retailers who manufacture modular office furniture and they will be able to give you a fair deal. What you have to do is take some extra time in finding the right person to buy modular furniture for your office. It is preferable to opt for some retailer who is in your locality as he might be come to your rescue when you have to repair them when needed.

Thus, modular office furniture not only gives an elegant look to your office, but also provides a feel of comfort and enhances the atmosphere which benefits you and your employees. This, in turn, increases the profit of your organization.

Monday, 13 October 2014

Creating a Comfy Home Office

Creating a Comfy Home Office
If you have a job that enables you to work from home some portion of the week, you’re undoubtedly reveling in the joys of not having lengthy commutes on those days. And beyond the hours saved from traveling, one of the great benefits of telecommuting is being able to work in the comfort of your own home – but how do you establish an environment and routine that’s conducive to getting work done?
There are so many wonderful choices today in home office furniture. Plus, technology is helping people connect quicker and easier than ever before, so furnishings are evolving to support that speed and comfort, as well.

First, figure out what kind of look you want. Do you want it to match the rest of your décor? Or would you like something that is totally different – thereby representing more of an “office environment” that doesn’t feel as comfortable as to dissuade you from being productive.
Pick up a home decorating magazine and tear out some pictures of offices that you like and take it with you to your local furniture store – they will guide you through the selection process and make sure that you have what you need to do the job right.

The end goal will be to have a comfortable chair, plenty of working space, and an effective environment that lets you focus on what’s most important – getting the job done well.

Tips for Furniture Shopping

Quick Tips for Furniture Shopping
Before you head into a furniture store, be prepared to know what you’re looking for!
·         Identify your personal style. Is it casual, contemporary, country, traditional or eclectic? (Check out some of the products under each style category on this site if you need some help).
·         Examine your preferences. Make a list of your favorite colors, textures and patterns. Do you prefer bold colors or pastels? Solids, stripes or plaids? Soft, light fabric covers or rich tapestries?
·         Consider your lifestyle. Do you plan to have a family or already have children? Pets? Are you planning to move soon?
·         Prioritize your purchases. Decide which items of furniture you want or need most, and buy those first. Then build around them.


·         Determine your budget. No matter how much or how little you want to spend, you can find good values that suit your style in any price category.
·         Budget your time to suit your shopping style. Do you enjoy doing lots of research and browsing, or are you an on-the-spot buyer? Shopping for furniture can be as easy or involved as you want it to be.
·         Explore available resources. Look to home programs, books, magazines, catalogs, websites and furniture showrooms to provide inspiration.
·         Keep a scrapbook of furniture styles you like.
·         Take advantage of free services. Many furniture stores offer such benefits as interior design consulting, room planning guides and product brochures.
·         Trust your own judgment. Buy what you like, and don't be afraid to be bold or different.

Have fun and enjoy the process. Furnishing your home to express your personal style can be one of life's greatest and most enduring pleasures.

Tips for Fresh Decorating

Quick Tips for Fresh Decorating
If you want to keep your house looking stylish and fresh, but you can't afford to redecorate every year, don’t fret!
There are so many inexpensive – but expensive looking – home furnishings and accessories that can make a bit difference in keeping your decorations up-to-date.
·         Accessories, like picture frames, vases, decorative boxes, and lamps, are a wonderful way to update without having to completely start over.
·         Buy one new piece of furniture at a time. Over 1-2 years, your home will look closer to your ideal (without the heavy price tag all-at-once).
·         Choose large staple items – like rugs, used artwork, or plants – that can anchor the look of a room without a big price tag.


·         Pick up a gallon (or 2) of a bold color, then pick a wall (or 2) and start painting!

Whether you’re just looking for a quick update or a more long-term solution, start small – over time, you’ll find that your space is looking more comfortable than ever.

Love Leather Be Bold

If you like the look and feel of leather, but are afraid you can't afford it, then you haven’t seen the wide variety of leather products available to consumers today.
There are furniture manufacturers, who make less expensive leather upholstery, as well as manufacturers who make synthetic leather – at a fraction of the cost – that looks and feels like the real thing.
After all, decorating with leather can be done at virtually any price point – and it’s a pragmatic material. It is easy to care for, cool in the summer, warm in the winter, and is friendly to kids and pets – crumbs and dog hair are simple to remove.
Start by visiting a local furniture store and asking to feel variable leather products in their showroom. You will be able to touch the various leather options available to determine which feels the best to you.



Then decide what – and how much – you want to decorate with this fantastic, practical material. Like most things, the more you want of it, the more it’ll cost. But maybe you don’t need the full sectional sofa and ottoman in real leather if a side chair is the perfect complement (at a much more affordable cost).

Ideas for Extra Spaces

Have your kids moved out of the house? Have you upgraded to a bigger pad recently? Maybe you've got some extra space that you don't know what to do with it?
Here are some ideas to breathe new vibrancy into those extra rooms:
·         Create a library complete with big leather reading chairs
·         Create a yoga room for relaxing and meditating
·         Create a reading room specifically with oversized sofas and soft blankets
·         Create a hobby studio for all your crafting, sewing, or scrapbooking projects
·         Create a guest room -- of course!
·         Create a music room, and maybe invest in a grand piano you can rent for use by local independent teachers

·         Create a home office with a daybed serving as a guest bed and couch
·         Create a home theater with theatre-style seating for two

Let us know what YOU did!

Tips for Sofa Shopping

Quick Tips for Sofa Shopping
To help ensure you're on the right track in searching for your dream sofa, we teamed up with the Spandan Enterprise to offer you these shopping tips:
·         Color will be the first element you respond to, so look for colors that express your personal style.
·         When you find a style that appeal to you, try it out for comfort.
·         Bounce up and down on the cushions. Make sure it feels right to you.
·         Wiggle the arms. Do they hold firm, indicating good workmanship?
·         Lift the frame. Does it feel heavy and sturdy?
·         Examine the fabric. Are the seams straight? Does the fabric line up properly? Does it feel pleasing to the touch?
·         Check the price. Quality sofas are available in all price ranges.
·         Measure it. You don't want the sofa to overwhelm your room, but you also don't want it to be dwarfed by other pieces.


After you've done all your checks, the most important thing is to follow your heart. If you love it, then it's right for you. 

Tips to Maximize Furniture Safety

Quick Tips to Maximize Furniture Safety
General Guidelines
Furniture surfaces should be smooth and free of splinters or rough edges. Nails, screws and other joiners should be tight and unexposed. Be wary of older pieces of furniture that may contain lead paint.
Bunk Beds
Bunk beds are not recommended for children under six years of age. The top bunk should have guardrails on each side, with no more than 15 inches open at each end. Rails should be secure and sturdy, and they should extend at least 5 inches above the top surface of the mattress. The mattress should be the proper size, as stated by the manufacturer. Always use a sturdy ladder to access the top bunk, and only one person should be on the top bunk at a time.
Cribs
Crib slats or spindles should be spaced no more than 2 3/8 inches apart, and none should be loose or missing. Check to make sure all screws, brackets and other hardware on the crib is properly installed and intact. The mattress should fit snugly, with no more than two-finger width between the edge of the mattress and the crib. Dressers and Chests of
Drawers
Drawers should slide in and out easily. When purchasing children's furniture, check for automatic drawer stops that prevent the drawer from falling out on unsuspecting children. Open only one drawer at a time. And never allow children to stand in open drawers because of the danger of the piece tipping over.
Bookcases
Be careful not to overload the shelves. In some cases, it may be a good idea to secure the top portion of the unit to the wall to prevent it from tipping over, especially if children are present in the home. In some pieces, especially in youth groups, a shelf unit attaches to a desk or chest. Always be sure those units are attached properly and securely.

Entertainment Centers and TV Stands
It's important to use the correct size furniture to house your television. Because of their weight, especially the popular larger models, TVs can fall forward if they are not properly supported. Furniture manufacturers offer a wealth of entertainment centers designed to accommodate today's electronics, so there's sure to be a piece to suit your needs.
Storage and Toy Chests
Lids should feature safety latches that prevent the top from falling freely or slamming shut on fingers or a child's head. Lids also should not lock automatically. If you have an older chest without safety latches, it is recommended that you contact the manufacturer for a replacement latch or remove the lid.
Reclining Chairs

Voluntary industry guidelines have made today's reclining chairs safer, but children should never be allowed to play on the chairs, particularly when the chair is in a reclined position.

Tips to Care for Indoor Furniture

Quick Tips to Care for Indoor Furniture
Furniture plays an important part in our lives and in our homes. That is why it is essential to care for our furniture to ensure its longevity and cleanliness. By using a little common sense, a little patience and some elbow grease, our home furnishings will last several lifetimes.
Here are a few basic tips to keep our home furnishings looking their best:
Cleaning
·         Because dust can be abrasive, always dust with a soft lint-free cloth that is moistened with polish.
·         Never use soap and water on wood furniture.
·         Use the same type of furniture polish consistently, as furniture can appear streaky if oil- and wax-based polishes are mixed.
·         Wipe in a circular motion to loosen old polish, and buff until it's dry for a perfect finish.
·         A natural bristle paintbrush can be used to dust intricate designs in wood.
·         Vacuum upholstery (and rotate cushions) once weekly to avoid fabric problems. You also can use the round brush attachment to clean wood furniture.
·         Always follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Keep them handy for future reference.

Longevity
·         Avoid exposing wood furniture and upholstery to continuous direct sunlight to avoid fading and other damage.
·         Protect your wood furniture from humidity by using an air conditioner in the summer and a humidifier in winter.
·         Place furniture at least 12 inches away from temperature extremes such as heaters and air conditioners.
·         Use coasters, pads and other protection against spills and other stains.
·         Gently lift, open and close doors, lids and drawers.
·         Do not allow cats and dogs on furniture, as they can be extremely abrasive to furnishings.
Everyday Use
·         Sit only on structures designed for that purpose.
·         Do not place hot items on a finish that will melt away or stain.
·         Beware of water from spills and condensation on drink glasses that can cause damage to coatings.

·         When moving a piece of furniture, do not drag it, move it from its strongest part.