If you know anything about office furniture, you’ll know that we’re now in the world of ergonomics. In a nutshell, this means making the office environment fit you. It means looking at your personal working space, your job responsibilities and also your body frame measurements and weight, to get the ‘best for you’ as regards to working conditions.

‘Getting it right’ will cover space, light, noise and overall sitting comfort:-

Space. A good ergonomic layout will mean that your work system is organised in such a way that you don’t have to carry heavy weights over long distances, you don’t have to overly stretch and you’re not working in cramped conditions etc..

Light. Good daylight is important and, where this isn’t possible, good simulated daylight is the next best thing. Knowing what type of lighting to buy for your office space is essential. Also bear in mind that a lot of light comes from your computer screen and this is going directly towards your eyes, which isn’t a good thing, as good light should always come from over your shoulder. I would always advise getting a filter screen for your computer, to reduce that ‘sunlight’ effect which really is too bright.

Noise. We now often hear of noise pollution and, in a busy office, pollution is often the case. For example, how often have you had to speak with call centre staff and can’t hear what your contact is saying as clearly as you can hear her colleagues? In that modern-day office, false walls in the form of screens are often used, to give that feeling of private space and to somewhat reduce the effect of the overall noise.

Overall Sitting Comfort. When it comes to seating, always look at ergonomic office chairs, as these are designed to offer many adjustments, making the chair of your choice match your overall needs. The Ergohuman range has several models, like the Ergohuman, the Ergohuman Plus, the Mirus, Enjoy and the Nefil. Spend some time finding out what these chairs offer. The features include seat tilt and glide, seat height, adjustable armrests, a lumbar support region and many other useful features and there are also additional extras, such as a headrest, a leg rest and a note table. Knowing what your job responsibilities ask of you will help you decide which of these additional extras are necessary.

Overall. An ergonomically-friendly environment makes work a pleasure and the day less stressful. It’s like any job, a bad workman always blames his tools, so getting the environment right for you means success all round.

It’s simply ergonomics.

We live in a designer world, where a dress is no longer a dress but a Stella McCartney number, a suit is a Versace and a car is referred to as the Porsche or some other ‘to die for’ brand name on four wheels.

So, why shouldn’t you refer to your own ergonomic office chair as a Nefil, a Mirus or a Ergohuman?

Why not?

Okay, it’ll be ‘out of the norm’ but think of the good advice you’ll be imparting to your family, friends and colleagues.

What I’m saying is – there’s an office chair but then there’s an ergonomic office chair and, unlike the designer ‘must haves’ mentioned earlier, a good ergonomic office chair doesn’t cost the earth.

When talking about cars, a firefighter friend told me that there are certain cars which stand up better to accident damage (e.g. the Alexis) and the same can be said for your office chair. Some will simply be office chairs, while others will give you support and protect your frame from the rigours of the day.

So, if you are shopping for your own ergonomic office chair, start (and, might I add, finish) with the Ergohuman range. Of the three I have already mentioned, all have those important adjustments, like seat height, seat tilt and that all-important lumbar support section, meaning the design isn’t ‘off the peg’ but made to measure, for you, whoever you are.

You can also go for additional extras, like a headrest and a leg rest, so think the whole picture when you are deciding what’s right for you. What does your job entail?

The duties of your job might make certain features more important to you. For example, that seat tilt. If your job means you are up and down all day long, a forward tilt will actually aid you in standing up, taking some of that pressure of your legs which normally comes from getting up from a more horizontal position.

Once you’ve chosen the right model for you, you can move on to choosing the right colour and the Ergohuman range do much more than black and blue. I’d go for a subtle autumn shade and I’d choose a mesh upholstery, as it’s durable, comfortable and easy to care for.

Are you starting to get the picture? You know, shopping for an ergonomic office chair can be more fun than shopping for something to wear. With the right advice and professional support, you won’t be thinking of taking it back the next day.