Sustainable Modular Office Furniture Can Make Your Work Place Green!

By MJ Marks

I know that green is in these days, and I don't mean the color, but living green as in environmentally friendly. For those of us who thought doing something good for the environment meant recycling our milk cartons, cereal boxes and tomato sauce cans and riding our bike occasionally, the extent of the "green" industry may be a bit of a surprise. Not only can you build your home to be "green", but you can also get "green furniture". There are even companies who use "green" modular office furniture.

As a matter of fact, Canada has a Sustainable Building Task Force that finalized groundbreaking environmental specs for modular office furniture purchased under state contract. Several modular furniture manufacturers bid on the contract, which goes to show that companies did not find the idea outlandish and many of them had used sustainable practices for decades. A three year contract, from 2001 to 2004 was awarded to a US company, with the idea to reevaluate and upgrade the contract after that time.

So what was Canada looking for in their sustainable modular office furniture? Well, among other requirements, some specifications included a high level of recycled content in components and packaging, no CFCs and HCFCs used in foam production, and energy efficient lighting in the work stations.

Modular office furniture and other items in the green building industry are rated. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) has a Green Building Rating System. This is a nationally accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of green buildings. According to the LEED web site:

"LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project meets the highest green building and performance measures. All certified projects receive a LEED plaque, which is the nationally recognized symbol demonstrating that a building is environmentally responsible, profitable and a healthy place to live and work."

LEED looks at five key areas of human and environmental health, and one of those categories is indoor environmental quality, and this includes how the building is furnished. There are more ways that your modular office furniture can be environmentally friendly that you may realize. LEED looks at the materials and resources of the furniture. This includes:

The amount of packing material used to deliver the items to the site. Is each piece individually boxed, or is it delivered in a large truck wrapped in blankets?

How much recycled content is in you modular office furniture?

Is it regionally manufactured (i.e. - within 500 miles of the job site to cut down on gas transmissions)?

Are renewable materials used in the furniture? Products made from plants that mature in 10 years or less decreases the impact on forests and longer life cycle plants.

Are the adhesives and finishes used on the modular office furniture nontoxic? This helps to reduce harmful VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) from the office.

Many companies find that with a little effort, they can start to take steps to make their furniture more environmentally friendly. After all, the environment is not improved by one person or company doing great things, but everybody doing a little bit.

Now, you may be wondering what this type of modular office furniture looks like, after all, cubicles can already look and feel like a box! But you would be surprised. Overall, most people wouldn't even know that your furniture is sustainably manufactured or made from partially recycled materials. Often times, items that have been remanufactured cost less, and some is quite modern and chic. I bet most people would be impressed and wonder where they could get some too!

MJ owns Blue Summit Articles and is a freelance writer for Click Shops, Inc., which offers a great selection of modular office furniture at office-furniture-source.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=MJ_Marks

Shifting Preferences For Office Furniture

By Sarika Kabra

Offices are not known for swanky furniture. Rather workman like approach dots the interiors of most of the offices. The situation was not like this a few years back. The offices were considered as important as the places to live. The approach of the designers was to make office just like a second home to the employees. Employee satisfaction was uppermost in the minds of employers. This was the time when exotic Amish furniture made its way into the office interiors.

But slowly with the shift in priorities space saving became primary concern for major companies. The economics involved in establishing, locating and relocating an office had a lot to do with such a shift. The trendy and durable Amish handcrafted furniture gave way to modular furniture in the offices. The modular office furniture, also known as ‘cubicles’ found favor in the top establishment due to its easy-to-install-and-easy-to-reinstall nature. There have also been some marked changes in upholstered furniture used in offices these days. Traditional styling has made a comeback in the upholstered furniture segment.

Whatever may be the shifting preferences about the office furniture, one thing will always remain the same. You still have to display some amount of knowledge about the office furniture before making an informed decision about the choice and suitability of furniture at your workplace.

For instance, you should know that Amish Oak furniture, though somewhat pricey, would always lend the traditional elegance that can instantly lift your sagging spirits, which is very vital in an office environment. The modular office furniture could give a monotonous feeling after sometime. However, the price factor is too miniscule a consideration for abandoning the pleasure of having carefully crafted Amish furniture in your office.

While selecting modular furniture, you must stick to one brand only. All the brands may look similar but they differ in their hardware and panels. They are never interchangeable. Sticking to one brand means all the future purchases will be based on the assessment that has already proved apt for your needs. The main consideration in selecting modular furniture is its re-configurability. You must have the required dimensions before you when going out shopping for modular furniture for your office.

The choice of upholstered furniture has also undergone a significant change over the years. But what has not changed is the basic features of upholstery. We are witnessing a less casual and more elegant approach in upholstered furniture. If you want durability in your upholstered furniture, a kiln-dried hardwood frame should be your ideal choice. The most commonly used woods include oak, maple and ash. A hardwood frame is joined using dowels as well as corner blocks glued and screwed together. The legs should be an integral part of the frame and center legs should be used for additional support. The padding is another area where upholstery requires particular attention. This is because a good padding not only improves comfort levels but also ensures durability of the entire furniture.

Lastly, the shifting preference of furniture means shifting preferences in its maintenance. Furniture maintenance is vital for its long life and looks. Different types of furniture require different approaches towards maintenance. But most importantly, make sure that the furniture is stain-free and coated with scratch and nick-free paint. If scratches appear, repair them without delay to avoid ugliness.

The author is an expert in the field of interior design and home improvement techniques. She has deeply studied the work of Amish Furniture craftsmen. Handcrafted Amish Furniture is made with the highest quality wood that lasts for generations. Click to know more about the Amish and buy Amish Furniture Online.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sarika_Kabra

The Best Office Furniture For Your Space

By Jonathan Andrew

Clientage Sometimes Depends On Home Office Furniture:
In the present state of affairs the towering price furniture and office gadget is the biggest stumbling block faced by any new office or home-base industry. As the present panorama is towards background home industry, still it is an important factor to continue the right attitude of functionality and adept appeal to your home. When you have patrons meeting you at your office you would not like to pull up a kitchen chair to sit. The clients won't like to thrash out the contract on the counter apex or the kitchen desk. The clients and their deals cannot wait till you fully set-up and hand over your town office. The reasonable answer to your query would buy new furniture to keep your business at home everlastingly.

Think Twice Before Buying Your Home Office Furniture:
Once you have examined the nitty-gritty, such as how much money you have to spend or how much space you have for existing office furniture, you can begin to center of attention on what you want. For instance, what type of office furniture could you like to purchase? If you are searching for existing office furniture, you may also be looking for something new or up-to-the-minute. You might need to setup different rooms in different ways as you would have a different feeling for each room. If you want a refined look for your room, go at the forefront with creating one with your thoughts.

Invest in brawny shelves for apposite storeroom office files, and other crucial articles. This ensures that everything in your office has a position and you'll be able to find items you need them. You should arrange to buy the filing cabinet observing in mind what all you can manage to pay for. The typical office filing cabinet is suitable for a normal office as they are economical and are available in many different colors. It is always wise to use these systems in your office. If you company has a strap with any big office make available company they can accomplish the need for necessary for your filing system. In fact you can search for some used office furniture in case you have a new office setting up for it is always an economical deal. Many companies put up discounted stuff on internet or you can always glance through your local area.

It is always unproblematic to get loan in business for hiring or leasing equipment as compared for buying it. As the subsidy or leasing company keeps the rights of your furniture or equipment, there is a not much need to fill up harmonizing safety norms. This gets you high approval figures.
You can also find more info on office decorating project and office deduction. i-homeofficefurniture.com is a comprehensive resource to get help in home office.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Andrew

Home Office Furniture Can Enhance Looks Of Work Place

By David Faulkner

As soon as it comes to home office furniture, a large number of self-employed individuals wonder what the difference is between traditional home office furniture and contemporary home office furniture, or if there is a smooth difference at all. Fashionable is a word that is used to describe something that is modern. In the characteristic of home office furniture, you will find that contemporary furniture is furniture that has in recent times been developed or designed. What is nice about contemporary home office furniture is that it is often created with today's workplace in mind. In fact, that modernization is one of the countless benefits to buying you contemporary home office furniture. There are so many materials for contemporary furniture to select from such as stone, glass, metal and wood.

Choose Your Office Furniture With Open Eyes, It Does Matter:

Administrative center furnishings are shaped from every identified material imaginable, and they can readily full-bodied the style of any home. From glass and steel to solid wood or veneer, an ideal desk, bookcase, or other piece of office furniture is awaiting every one. If ones home is colonial come within reach of or ultra-modern, there is the accurate office furniture, online, for it. Pictures and dimensions of all the furniture formulate it easy to select the style, color, size, and grade of furniture anyone might want. Nothing is free nowadays. We find this actuality to be truer each day that passes and each time threes a rise in prices. Nonetheless, threes no reason for us to let this fact hinder us from saving extra for every product we purchase.

Various Patterns Used For Home Office Furniture:

Copse furniture is home office furniture. New home office furniture sets are being unveiled that offer enhanced organization and usability for the busy home professional. These new designs are focusing on matching existing habitat decor as an alternative of bringing a work environment into your home. The goal, of course, is to make the home office more of a source of revenue space in your home, than a work place. You can get sets that include a desk, office chair, and an organizer for very cheap. Match your obtainable decor with contemporary or traditional pieces and make you home office a more relaxing, productive environment. The key is to pay money for home office furniture that is very satisfying to your senses.

Though a moment ago a piece of furniture, it occupies an vital place in a working professional's daily routine. Reassure is extremely important while designing a chair used in the office, since the employee has to sit on it and work for long and continuous periods. Earlier desks and chairs were not accorded much importance when used in an office environment. But with mounting work pressures and with employees all the time more spending more and more hours in the workplace, the impact of the furniture used in offices and their effects on the employees health, efficiency and productivity has been closely analyzed.

These materials are applied to approximately all the furniture's used for the home. Depending once again on the consistency and the shade applied to your house. Bookcases, Cabinets, Chaise, Hall trees, sofas tables and trunks are also integral part of the decorations, they also have to be chosen very carefully so that there is not mix match or a confusing give the impression of being but a warming looking to the house, hence the motivation, there are different styles and also different materials programmed to make a better choice.

Office chairs are premeditated in such a way so as to make an employee sit at his work station comfortably continuously for long hours, and at the same time provide mobility as well to intermingle with colleagues and peers. It is with this in mind that chairs with wheels or swivel chairs were introduced. The seats are usually cushioned to provide comfort to the employees. The seats on these office chairs adapt to the body structure of the individuals sitting on it. These days most of the chairs used in offices have height adjustable facial appearance the employees can adjust the height of the chair according to their own heights and the height of the desk or the workstation.

Bookcases, Cabinets, Chaise, Hall trees, sofas tables and trunks are also fundamental part of the decorations, they also have to be chosen very carefully so that there is not mix match or a confusing look but a warming looking to the house, hence the reason, there are different styles and also different materials listed to make a better choice. There are different decorating styles that can be used some of which are programmed as, Antique, Casual, contemporary, country, hand carved custom made and much more styles that can be used to make your home the best.
If it's for a newly sprung office, the bottom line is obtaining them on lease. Further ahead, the same could be acquire outright once your business expands. If you are a developed firm, direct purchasing could keep your positive feature value intact.

You can also find more info on office decorating project and office deduction. i-homeofficefurniture.com is a comprehensive resource to get help in home office.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Office Furniture Manufacturer - Imperial Office Furniture

By James Bush

Are you looking to redecorate your office with new furniture? Office furniture is important to our comfort as well as the comfort of your clients. One office furniture manufacturer that may help you find the best office furniture is Imperial Office Furniture. There are many aspects of their collection you will find appeasing. Their collections include Receptiv, Effex, Qudos, Serius, Boardroom, and Altitude.

The Receptiv line offers reception furniture. This furniture supplies a base and top unit with different sizes and finishes to make it fit in with your office design as well as make it comfortable. The Effex is a simple desk system with two legs and plenty of storage.
It probably offers one of the biggest desk spaces. Each collection is designed to give you the maximum comfort as well as design to help you get your work done. You may even have a combination desk for two workers to make it easier to plan ideas and work together. Finishes you may be able to find at Imperial Office Furniture are Japanese Ash, Apple, Cherry, Beech, Oak and Calva Oak. Each of these finishes will offer you a wonderful look for your office. They will also be able to match your office décor as it stands right now.

The key to finding what office furniture will work for you from Imperial Office Furniture is planning. You will want to plan you office space around the furniture or you may need to plan your furniture around the space you have allocated. It depends on whether you have a new office building being built. The idea behind office furniture manufacturers is to provide you with the best furniture for your needs. An office should be designed to impress as well as provide comfort for you to work in.

Written by James Bush. Find more information on an Office Furniture Manufacturer
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_Bush

Ergonomic Features in Office Chairs - Some Helpful Hints

By Ron Jordan

Most office workers have some vague knowledge of ergonomics, but keeping good posture in mind can be difficult when you're concentrating on work. How many times do you have to remind yourself to sit straighter, lift your hands when typing, et cetera? Probably too many. It's easier to make your chair do the work for you. There are several main points of consideration.
Adjustable Seat Height. No human body is exactly the same as another, so why should a chair be? Adjustable-height seating is essential when purchasing an office chair, especially in mass quantities for a variety of users. A chair that's too low isn't just uncomfortable, it's wearying on the body. A chair that's too high is equally wearying, contributes to a stooping posture, and may not even fit properly beneath your desk. Armchairs are especially notorious for this, which is why it is also a good idea to look for adjustable arm height as well.

Adjustable Backrests. A good backrest is comfortable and sturdy, fitting neatly against your lower back. Poorly designed chairs have backrests that are merely afterthoughts, often hitting your shoulders and forcing your back to curve unnaturally. Sitting in any given chair for five minutes will tell you everything you need to know. As with office chair seats, the best kinds of backrests are adjustable to your body, both vertically and horizontally. A chair with a bad backrest is worse for your posture than a chair with no backrest at all, so be careful.

Stability. All the ergonomic design in the world won't help you if you keep falling out of your chair. This seems like an unlikely problem, but it's rather common in some designs, especially four-point (x-shaped) bases. A five-point base is best for chair stability, whether your chair has casters or flat pads. A five-point chair with casters is virtually impossible to tip over without running it into an obstacle.

As with all tools, a user should learn how to use his or her ergonomic chair to get the best results. The finest chair ever designed won't be very useful if the person sitting in it doesn't even know how to sit up straight in it. For this, some training might be required, as well as possibly switching up other elements of the user's workspace (such as a desk) to make proper posture come more easily. A well-designed chair is not a cure for all ergonomic troubles, but it's a vital tool nonetheless; an ergonomic chair will help you sit straight so you can walk tall.

For more information and a great variety of office chairs, check out More Office Chairs.Com, a proud part of the Cymax Stores Inc. network of online furniture retailers.
Ron Jordan is a marketing associate for Cymax Stores Inc, a premiere online furniture distribution company.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ron_Jordan

Home Office Furniture Can Make You Work More

By David Faulkner

If you have been planning on 'creating' your own home office, probability is that you have come to the realization that you need to buy some home office furniture. However, what you may not be familiar with is what types of home office furniture pieces are vital for your home office. There is no doubt that there are a number of different things which are necessary for any home office in order to make positive that the work that you do here actually gets completed in an efficient manner.

Considerable Points While Making A Home Office Furniture:

When you are choosing office furniture, you will want to pay for that which is ergonomically proper. For instance, you will want a chair that you can sit in that allows you to blissfully rest your feet on the floor. You will also want a desk that is at a good height that does not origin you to bend or reach to gain access to your keyboard, if you have a computer. While choosing office furniture, cost is always a deliberation. However, once again you should not concession your comfort for cost. For instance, if you purchase a chair because it is low-priced and you find it scratchy, you will ultimately find yourself spending supplementary money for a new and comfortable chair. Wooden furniture is more suitable for homes, hotels and small offices, but it isn’t feasible to use wooden furniture for a huge office, because of the cost, availability and maintenance.

Wood Work Solves All The Problems Of Organizing:

If you have a lot of paperwork that requires organizing, a file cabinet is a must. Common types are metal cabinets, but wood is also used for a more lasting addition to the office. Shelves are also a first-class idea for organizing books, binders, etc. Strong plastic shelves can be purchased at most department stores, as can wooden shelves.

One of the most common questions comes to ones mind is from where should i get it, local amass? Or trip online how much comparatively cheaper would this be than that? - Should I own them or get them on rent? - Will it go well with my office surroundings the working conditions? Some great places to find home office furniture are at a vendor a hotel that is undergoing overhaul, the bug market, an office that is in the process of remodeling and replacing furniture, a furniture hire store, etc. You can get some fantastic bargains from businesses that are in the midst of replacing their old furniture with something new. Offer to purchase a desk or office chair and see if they are enthusiastic to offer a great deal. Otherwise, shop retail or furniture stores during a sale weekend.

Your home office should be designed carefully, as the right paraphernalia and office furniture will not only save you time and attempt, but money, too. Old or tiresome office furniture results in a cluttered workspace, loss of productivity and can eventually lead to back or wrist pain.

You can also find more info on office computer system and office decorating project. i-homeofficefurniture.com is a comprehensive resource to get help in home office.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Faulkner

Choosing A Lift Chair

By John Morris

For some people, getting up from a sitting position can be quite a chore. Lift chairs help in this regard. In today’s modern world lift chairs offer those who have difficulty sitting down and getting up from sitting the opportunity to live normal lives even with their disability.
There are many reasons why people have difficulty getting into and out of a sitting position. Some suffer from arthritis, and getting up from a sitting position is all but impossible for them. Many of those who are advanced in age show signs of muscle weakening and difficulty in moving about. This is to be expected as people age. However, without assistance, life for these people becomes extremely inconvenient and, at time, embarrassing.

To help make their lives easier, lift chairs were invented. Lift chairs are furnitures that make getting into and out of a sitting position easier. They are made of usual couch material and may look like a normal couch. They, however, have built in motors that change the position of the seat that helps the user as he moves to stand up. The contraption is activated by buttons on the seat or on a remote control. When the user wants to sit down, all he or she has to do is lean weight on the seat. This triggers a mechanism that lowers the user into sitting position. The mechanism of these chairs prevents users from flopping down unceremoniously on the couch. It provides stability and support for the sitting and standing movement.

There are many reasons why one would want to use a lift chair. As mentioned earlier, one of the reasons one would want to use lift chairs is arthritis. Other diseases include Parkinson’s, Lou Gehrig’s and other mobility limiting conditions.

People who suffer from other conditions such as knee and hip problems also need lift chairs – as do people who have had accidents, muscular weakness, or even advanced age. For these people lift chairs present the best way to continue living a functional life. They will also be less dependent on other people to get around their homes.

Lift chairs also help caregivers. Instead of having to carry their patients in and out of their chairs, their patients can now be assisted by automatic lift chairs. This helps them avoid getting fatigued and sore from carrying their patients.

Lift chairs come in different styles, colors and functionalities - and yes prices. At first sight, lift chairs will resemble normal upholstered chairs. They look like your typical sofa, recliner, or chair. Some even double as beds. If you are to buy such furniture, make sure you choose one that fits the needs of its user. If he or she is more comfortable with a recliner or chair, then by all means consider that style for him or her.

You should also consider the fabric for the lift chair you wish to purchase. Some patients have sensitive skin conditions. You should take this into consideration when choosing a lift chair. Leather might irritate some, while some might be irritated by fur. A good knowledge of your patient will assist your decision.

You should also consider the size and height of the chair. Its dimensions should match the needs of its user. When shopping for a lift chair, it is important to consider the size and height of the individual who will be using the chair. If it is too small the chair will be uncomfortable for the user. If it is too large, the user might feel the same way.

Consider also the weight of the user. Lift chairs can carry large loads but you must make sure the brand you choose can handle the weight of its user.

Lift chairs are usually plugged into your typical electric outlet. There are versions, however, that can operate on battery packs. This makes them convenient even in the event of a power black out.

There are also brands that have massage units and heating implements. If your patient needs these features, you can have them installed too.

For more great lift chair info and advice check out: http://www.weknowlifts.com/
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Morris

Glass Desks - Smooth, Shiny and Transparent

By Brooke Theresa

Glass is smooth, shiny and transparent. Hence, glass desks make a place shine and look spacious. Be it an office or a home, desks made of glass can turn a cozy corner into a productive workplace. Available in all designs and shapes, these desks can be a very good alternative to the wooden ones.

Starting from the normal size that is usually used in office to the customised ones, glass desks are made in a lot of designs. So, there is every possibility that you will have the right kind of glass desks in the market that can meet your need, suit your taste and fit your budget. However, it is never recommendable to buy desks offhand. A little research from your part will help you buy the right product at the right price.

One good thing about glass desks is that they are easy to maintain. Particularly, desks made from scratch-free glass are quite convenient to use. They never get dirty and a little care is enough to maintain them. Even after using glass desks for a long time, you will find them spick and span almost looking like the ones in their original condition. You will not require putting extra effort to keep them clean and tidy.

Along with desks, an office needs chairs. As is the case with desks, chairs are also available in all varieties. You will have them in almost any design and colour. However, it is not the design and colour that should be given importance when you shop for office chairs. Rather, the comfort part should be given greater significance.

Whether it is glass desks or office chairs, the buyer should keep the users in mind. They should be user-friendly. After all, these things are meant for use, not to be displayed as showpieces. So, when you buy both these products, keep in mind that they are comfortable, in addition to being attractive.

Brooke Theresa is an interior decorator who also has a passion to write for her area of interest. Currently she is focusing on office furniture (such as reception desks, office desks, computer desks, office chairs and glass desks) and current clientele includes leading organization in UK.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brooke_Theresa