Soho Done Right (Part II)

07 December 2011,
Soho Special

The Right Chair
Unless your job is on-the-go, nearly 8 hours of a workday is spent with your buttocks glued to a chair. The human body is not meant to be sedentary, hence, a majority of us complain about lower back pains and/or neck problems. This is due largely because ‘sitting’ is a static posture which encourages us to slouch over or sink into the curvature of the seat, causing an over-stretch of spinal ligaments and discs. A pleather-bound, swivel chair with wheels priced at an ostentatious amount doesn’t make it a good chair—there are other properties to consider:

Height: Ever had one of those dining experience where the table felt too high (or low) for your elbows to rest comfortably? This is especially agonizing if you eat with chopsticks. A workstation’s chair to desk ratio is about the same as a eating in a restaurant. Test out your chairs and do it behind a desk. Make sure you are able to sit with your feet comfortably on the floor, thighs securely supported and parallel, and the on-lay of your forearms is at a 90 degree angle on the surface of the table.

Armrests: Modern chairs have sacrificed the armrest for a more aesthetic and simple look; however, armrests are vital to a chair composite to take some strains off your shoulders and neck. Its purpose is to prevent you from slouchy forward in your chair or lean towards any one side, damaging your pelvis over a long period of time. Select an office chair with adjustable armrests that gives your arms and shoulders just a bit of boost.

Chair Seat: The best chairs are sufficiently thick and leave only an inch of space between your hips and thighs on both sides. Invest in his quality cushions, fabric or material for long-term use and comfort. Again, test out your chairs and take note that the seat should curve slightly toward the front edge. When in a perfect seating posture, the back of your knees should not come in contact with the front edge.

Legs: Stable office chairs usually have five legs that extend slightly farther than the radius of the chair. Another thing to note is that the casters on the chair matches your floor surface. If your office space is lined with carpeting, use a chair mat so that your chair retains its flexibility and mobility (and prevent wear and tear in your carpeting).

Despite the pointers we’ve availed, style and design must not be compromised. A SoHo should look professional yet retain a touch of personal flair. Your space should speak of your individualism, work ethic and profession. It’s a little strange for clients and customers to walk into an interior designer’s office and see a traditional set-up with organized shelves and antique. The key, in a professional term, is to strike a balance between mediocrity and sassiness.