Chair selection is one of the many tasks a design team has to accomplish. It is selecting the right chair at the right price point, purpose and comfort while ensuring that it complements the overall interior design. I have been involved with this process at different points of the selection. As a resource librarian, I was able to create a mental list of chairs that have been in my back pocket till I got transferred to the studio. So, how do you select the appropriate chairs for your office? It starts with your requirements. A design team like Turnstone’s, can assess your space and give you suggestions to choose from.
What are the chairs appropriate for your office?
• Let’s start with your desk. It is where you sit most of the day and an ergonomic chair is most appropriate for that use. Although sitting, standing and moving around is key to overall wellbeing, it is still important to sit on a chair that will support your body throughout the day.The Steelcase Think chair (right below) was designed to support your body throughout the day and with the different sitting postures. Since this is the one furniture you sit on most of the day, it is important to test the chair before purchasing. It is also bought in bulk for uniformity and discount pricing, so have everyone test it to get the general consensus.
• Small private rooms are used for informal meetings and also doubles as a single use rooms to support the need for more privacy and focused work. Therefore, long periods of work spent in these rooms may also determine the need for adjustable task chairs like Turnstone Cobi (left below) .
• Formal conference rooms have also been used as an overflow for collaborative work and informal meetings since it is typical that these conference rooms are well equipped with technology. On the other hand, board room chair selection is driven mostly by higher back seats, leather upholstery and more formal look like the Steelcase Siento Chair (left below).
• Training rooms that supports long hours of learning may ask for ergonomic chairs, but most require extra chairs and for it to be stackable and stored behind closets. So a comfortable, stackable and adjustable chair, like the Kart Nesting chair from Coalesse (middle below) or the Jersey Chair by Steelcase (right below), may be appropriate for its use.
• Open areas for informal meetings and collaborative work may require more of a comfortable living room setting. The Turnstone Campfire (first below) collection offers a coordinated lounge seats and ottomans. Benches like the Turnstone Alight Bench Ottoman (second below) also offers a communal seating. There are also options to have high back seats that offer visual privacy without the use of freestanding screens and wall partitions, see Bix from Coalesse (third below). Some common areas placed in between workstations may require chairs on casters, like the Steelcase Node (last below), which can be moved in and out of group meetings.
• Break rooms oftentimes are furnished with bar or counter height stools and standard chair height. These chairs are for short term use, some may need it to be stackable. The Scoop Stool (left below) offers comfort and sturdy construction with it's sled base and Enea Stool (right below) offers a variety of height and upholstery options.
Knowing the clients requirements, budget and overall design are key points in narrowing your selection. Whether you need an ergonomic chair or a bar stool, testing is an important key to finalizing your selection.
So, what chairs have you tested and which one was the best choice for your office? If you are still looking to find one, click here to see the full range of Turnstone chairs.