Does Comfortable Furniture Create a Too Casual Work Place?

Nowadays, office chairs can be adjusted in just about every way imaginable – the backs, the feet, the height, the cushions are all adjustable and chairs come with a plethora of pedals and buttons to allow their users to feel comfortable at work, and to minimise postural damage.

But while there is good reason for office chairs to be comfortable (it often feels like we spend most of our lives sitting in them), do modern offices really need comforts such as coffee bars, bean bags, sofas and the like?

There was a time when executive office furniture consisted of a big, clearly boss-like chair and a desk. Everyone else had the same, except their chair was less boss-like. But now office furniture extends way beyond the desks, and many blue chip companies in particular use their office space as an incentive to lure top professionals.

Google, for example, has made newspaper headlines by installing slides as an alternative to stairs (on the way down, at least), and numerous big firms have subsidised coffee bars, gyms and even doctors on site, topped off with ‘break-out’ areas with bean bags and even table tennis tables.

Some argue that this makes the working environment far too casual, and that there’s no need for such lavish office furniture. The firms themselves will spin a line about creativity – and how having a discussion when sat on bean bags, or drinking latte in the coffee bar, will be far more creative than it could possibly be around a plain old boardroom table.

The reality is though those employers want their employees to feel comfortable at the office so that they’re happy to hang around. The reason big city law firms have doctors on site and subsidised restaurants is simple – they work in an industry that demands long hours, and – as well as to stop them from feeling guilty – they know they need to keep their top workers happy in the office.

Do an online search for cool offices or similar and you’ll be presented with dozens of newspaper features on where the coolest places to work are. Clearly having gyms, restaurants, slides and other excessively comfortable office furniture is not purely about keeping the staff happy, but it’s also a great PR opportunity for the company as a whole.

4 Signs Your Office Decor Needs an Update

Your working environment has a direct bearing on your mood and can affect your productivity. If you want to improve the workplace so that your employees can become more productive, follow the tips below for updating your office space.

1. Your Lighting Is Horrible

Statistics show office improvements won’t do much good if you don’t have sufficient lighting for your employees to work by. If the lighting in your building is up to date and doesn't strain your employees’ eyes, productivity can increase by as much as ten percent. Another bonus to having the right type of lighting is there are approximately 58 percent fewer accidents. Experts state natural lighting is the best way to go when improving your office décor, as studies show sunlight is a natural mood lifter and makes people feel more energetic. Sometimes a simple reconfiguration of the office can maximise natural light.

2. Your running out of space

You should make sure that the office furniture you choose leaves plenty of storage space for expansion and for your employees to work flexibly. No one can work well in a cramped space. Allow your workers to make their workspace their own as well. Getting the employees to give their opinion on how the workplace should look will make them feel happier and more comfortable at work. This in turn makes them more productive employees

3. Dysfunctional Furniture

If your furniture looks and feels like it came from the ’70s, then it is time to update and let the modern world take over. Uninspiring offices create uninspired works and portrays a negative image to your clients.

4. Watch That Thermostat

It’s a basic human need to feel the right temperature. If your workers are too cold or too hot they will not work productively. A correct and comfortable climate is vital for a happy workplace.