Deco&Design - Furniture

Want an efficient and relaxing working environment? Here are some ideas

There is a strong link between the work environment, well-being and productivity. We spend much of our lives in the office, so it's important to create a friendly, comfortable space. Here are some smart tricks and products for a pleasant and relaxing office.

Organize space, get rid of clutter

It is said that clutter tires, creates discomfort and decreases efficiency. I know, there are some people who are comfortable in a...tidy mess, but the vast majority of people want a desk as free as possible and quick access to the documents they need. This is not a difficult thing considering that much of the paperwork is now on the computer and the papers in binders are getting fewer and fewer. A simple cupboard with 2-3 filing cabinets in the immediate vicinity of the desk is a solution for the binders with documents you don't need every day.

For the documents and papers you need on a daily basis, a system of stacked trays on a desk corner makes things simple. Documents can be organized by category, reducing clutter and freeing up space.

It's not just papers that reduce workspace. A large monitor can be just as uncomfortable. Not if you can effortlessly move it whenever you need to. It's possible with a mobile arm stand. Monitor Arm, desktop monitor stand from Accessory Groupis a practical and ergonomic solution to your problem. The very principle Clean Desk was at the heart of its development. The arm has very good mobility, a sleek modern design and can hold up to 11 kg safely. Concealed cables with easily removable cover plates help to keep the desk free.

Also to avoid wires lying all over the place, the plug and extension socket systems designed specifically for offices and workspaces. The need for as many power outlets as possible for computers, laptops, telephones is well known in an office, and an extension into another extension is not a solution. Recessed desk or floor-mounted socket systems, mobile sockets that can be clipped to any side of the desk, being easily accessible without loading the desk at all, can be solutions to get rid of unsightly wires that can also become dangerous in moments of inattention.

Invest in a quality chair

For office work to be relaxing, you need to have a ergonomic and comfortable seat. Sitting in front of a computer for hours on end can lead to back pain and poor blood circulation in the legs, which leads to numbness and tingling. If you experience this on a daily basis, you should consider changing your desk chair.

If you're the one responsible for your wellbeing in the office, look for a chair that's as suitable as possible. Don't choose it because it's nice, but because it's good. Don't get leather chairs because they are cold in winter and sticky in summer. Don't look for a chair that makes you look important. It won't do you any good when back pain starts. Go to specialty stores and try as many office chairs as you can until you find the right one. The more adjustability, the better. Don't cut corners here, it's your health at stake.

Criteria for choosing the right chair
Don't just rely on general office lighting.

How many times has it seemed too dark or too light in the office? Both are equally disturbing and tiring on the eyes. In all offices there is a central lighting system that usually comes from the ceiling. Light can be brought closer using desk lamps or LED strips. This allows you to better control your light needs and focus it exactly where it's needed.

If the outside light is too bright, use blinds to control how much light gets in. Don't cover windows completely (with foil or other such definitive systems), even if the light is too bright. Light outside varies and you should be able to intervene if necessary. Also, covering the window and not being able to look out can lead to claustrophobia.

Total silence, like too much noise, can be disturbing. Bring music near you!

Few can concentrate in complete silence. It's not easy to work in a noisy environment either. But music can act as a curtain that separates you from the rest of the world and helps you concentrate. Headphones can be a solution, but often, the music blaring in your ears isolates you too much from the rest of the office and you end up becoming oblivious to what's going on. The best solution is music that comes from around you, but doesn't disturb others around you.

INTUBLU, from Accesoria Group, is a modern speaker system that can be integrated into furniture. It consists of two sound transducers and a Bluetooth network adapter. It can be placed in cupboards, drawers, on the back of a desk top or in any other space around you. It connects via Bluetooth to your phone or other devices and can play music at the highest quality. INTUBLU Transmits vibrations through surfaces, so you don't have to leave drawers or office doors open. Bluetooth transmission means you don't have to worry about unsightly cables.

Green rests

In the mountains, when you go hiking and look long and long at the forest and meadows, you can feel yourself relaxing and resting. That's because, according to experts, green is restful. So bring green into your office life. Not posters, but living greenery - plants. For some people, plants in the office are 'girly', old-fashioned and weightless. Not so! Plants purify the air, soothe, calm, rest and make the space much more pleasant and attractive.

That doesn't mean you have to have a greenhouse in your office. A large plant, placed down by the desk when space permits, or 2-3 decorative plants that don't require much care, placed on the windowsill, are enough to create a welcoming workspace.

Customize your space

The easiest way to make your office a pleasant and relaxing space is to identify with it. Family photos, favourite paintings, memorabilia are just a few suggestions to personalize your workspace. But don't overdo it. Too many family photos can make the office less professional, and too many cherished objects can bring you back to where you started - a cluttered desk where you can hardly find the things you need.

I hope you find the ideas useful. If you have others, leave them below in the dedicated space. The more the merrier, we have plenty to choose from.

About the author

Mihaela Radu

Mihaela Radu is a chemical engineer but has a great passion for wood. She has been working in the field for more than 20 years, wood finishing being what defined her during this period. She gained experience working in a research institute, in her own company, as well as in a multinational. She wants to continuously share her experience with those who have the same passion - and more.

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