02 Mar
Expert advice

7 BAD POSTURES YOU’RE PROBABLY MAKING WITHOUT KNOWING

When working at an office and spending hours sitting at your computer you can often forget to sit in the right posture therefore leading to muscle pain. The muscle pain could cause discomfort and uneasiness which will make you less productive at your workspace. Being aware of all the bad postures you can make at your desk will make it easy for you to avoid them and this will have a positive impact on your health and productivity.

  1. Slouching

It is easy to find yourself slouched over your phone or laptop/computer for long hours. Being locked on the screen for a long period of time while slouched can take a toll on your muscles, joints and ligaments and make you suffer from severe lower back pain. To avoid slouching you first have to make it a habit to check your posture throughout the day and make necessary corrections (https://www.victoriafurnitures.com/how-to-properly-sit-at-a-computer/)

  1. Hunching your shoulders

Hunched shoulders are when you roll your shoulders forward thus increasing the curvature of your upper spine and pulls the head and neck in an unhealthy tilt. To prevent this, when seated your buttocks and shoulder blades should touch the back of your chair with a slight arc on your lower back. Also try to keep your neck inline with your shoulder blades and with your chin slightly up. An orthopaedic chair is also essential as it allows the user to align the curve of the chair with the spine and keeps the back supported throughout the day. (https://www.victoriafurnitures.com/6-features-to-look-out-for-in-a-good-orthopaedic-chair/)

  1. Gazing downwards for prolonged time

Looking down at your keyboard or smartphone lying flat on the desk for a prolonged period is a bad posture. Your head is heavy, so when you place it in a tilted position for a long period of time will exert pressure on your neck and upper back. To avoid this posture, hold your head high parallel to the floor. In addition, keep your computer and hand-held devices in line with your sight. A monitor arm or desk riser would really come in handy.

  1. Standing more than sitting

You probably have an idea that standing is good for your productivity and health, however prolonged standing is as bad as prolonged sitting. To avoid this, it is better to stand for shorter durations and regular intervals.

  1. Using your couch for work

Using your computer while sitting on your couch for a prolonged time will definitely make you adopt a bad posture. The solution for this, is simply considering setting up a home office consisting of an ergonomic office chair and office desk.

  1. Adjusting your office chair based on your feet placement only

You probably believe sitting with both feet resting flat on the floor, is the right position and it’s true to some extent but in the long run it’s not enough and can lead to bad posture. To manage foot position, you need to get a footrest. Another tip is to achieve the proper posture at the computer you need to focus on your forearms. They need to align your desk’s height and form a right angle with your arms

  1. Not stretching throughout the day

You can often become too bound to your work at the desk that you hardly get some time to move and stretch. Staying in one position for a prolonged time will make your muscles sore and lead to bad posture therefore it is essential to change your position and stretch frequently and at regular intervals.

31 Jan
Expert advice

HOW NATURAL LIGHT AFFECTS EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY

Natural light at the workplace affects several health aspects such as mood, Vitamin-D levels, eyesight, and sleep. A study carried out by HR advisory firm, Future Workplace, revealed that employees sitting near the window are more likely to show up for work and have heightened productivity compared to those sitting under artificial light.

Mood Enhancement

Natural light enhances mood. Light has an effect on the hypothalamus in the brain which influences the body’s internal clock and the production of melatonin and serotonin. Those not exposed to natural light are more likely to see a drop in their mood and as a consequence – their productivity.

Creativity

Those who work in the arts, be it writing, painting, singing e.t.c would agree that natural light is vital in stimulating creativity. Therefore, installing large windows at the office would expose employees to as much natural light as possible and therefore vastly improve their creativity and productivity.

Vitamin-D

Natural light from the sun is the main source of Vitamin D and those not exposed could develop a deficiency. A Vitamin-D deficiency can lead to problems with the bones, teeth, and muscles which could lead to other health issues. These health issues could impact employee productivity.

Eyesight

Research conducted by Cornell University in 2017 revealed that office workers reported a 51% drop in eyestrain and a 63% drop in headaches as a result of exposure to natural light. Eye strain can be attributed to a condition called Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and is said to affect 70 million employees around the world. CVS could be reduced significantly by the introduction of natural light. Improved eye health will enable employees at the office to concentrate more at work, therefore, improving their work output.

Sleep

Another benefit of natural light is better sleep. Research conducted by the Northwestern University of Chicago concluded that office workers who spent time in artificial light had 46 minutes less sleep than those in offices with windows. And it’s known, more sleep equals higher productivity as sleep is important in the restoration of the body and mind.

28 Jan
Expert advice

5 WAYS YOU CAN INCREASE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY AT WORK IN 2022

Becoming more productive in the office may take time, but using these tips can help you make small changes that will have a big impact on your productivity and increase your career success.

  1. Create a regular sleep schedule

The success of all the other tips for increasing productivity at work are dependent on this first tip. The reason being quality sleep improves both mental and physical health thus allowing us to focus on task without underlying fatigue or exhaustion.

Monitor your sleeping habit for a week or more, noting the time you go to bed, the time you wake up and the number of hours you sleep on average. 

  1. Plan your calendar

With the introduction of smartphones and other hand-held devices, you can easily create a calendar that you can use track your activities of the day. Use your calendar to investigate your workflow and productivity making sure to take notes for review in order to eliminate time wasters.

  1. Create goals and break them into tasks

Most professionals are tasked with goals whether they’re sales goals, service goals or other goals related to the mission of the company. Annual goals are achieved when they’re broken down into specific doable tasks that can be attained on a daily, weekly or monthly basis.

  1. Create contact time vs focused time

An office environment even a home office is filled with numerous distraction’s such as phone calls, emails, texts and face-to-face conversations. Schedule quiet, task focused time when you’re not available for meetings or calls, allowing you to create time to work through your necessary daily tasks.

  1. Create scheduled breaks

While you may have been granted limited number of breaks by your employer that allow you to leave your desk during the day, you can create small breaks for yourself while you tackle your tasks, you can use stretch exercises to move your muscles and improve flexibility and blood flow while seated at your desk.

20 Nov
Expert advice

FAUX LEATHER VS GENUINE LEATHER

Real leather is a strong, flexible and durable material obtained from the tanning or chemical treatment, of animal skins and hides to prevent decay. The most common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo, pigs and hogs, and aquatic animals such as seals and alligators.

Faux leather (also referred to as leatherette or vegan leather) is artificial or synthetic leather.

There are three primary types of faux leather: Polyurethane (PU), Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Silicone.

These leathers are used in making clothing, upholstery and product covers but each is better for certain applications than others.

PU leather which is the most realistic imitation to genuine leather in regards to surface feel and overall appearance. PU leather is softer, more flexible and breathable hence commonly used for making high-wear products such as clothing and furniture upholstery that come into direct contact with the skin.

PVC or Vinyl leather is not breathable as PU leather therefore it is ideal for products that need to repel moisture such as book bindings or cases for electronic devices. 

Silicone which is the newest innovation of the three leather constructions and is suitable for virtually any application since it possesses the advantages offered by both PU and vinyl. It is also the most environmentally friendly in terms of production process.

ADVANTAGES OF FAUX LEATHER COMPARED TO REAL LEATHER

  1. Economical – Faux leather is typically cheaper than real leather
  2. Durability – High quality faux leather is very durable and will last a long time, it can also withstand scratches and scrapes that would mar genuine leather. It is also not prone to cracks like real leather and does not fade easily in UV light.
  3. Low maintenance – Faux leather is stain resistant and easy to wipe with a rag and warm water. Also, unlike real leather it does not retain moisture therefore will not become warped or cracked
  4. Fashion – vegan leather can easily be printed on, providing an enormous variety of textures and patterns. In addition, it is easier to cut and sew than genuine leather and needle marks are usually less noticeable as the threads blend seamlessly with faux leather.

DISADVANTAGES OF FAUX LEATRHER TO REAL LEATHER

Vegan leather has a lot more variance than real leather. Some vegan leather is high quality and durable, however this comes at a high price. The cheaper variant does not last as long and cracks after a few years of use.

Faux leather does not age as well as real leather. Genuine leather develops an attractive luster or patina over time. 

Faux leather is not puncture proof or tear resistant like real leather.

5 TIPS TO DISTINGUISH REAL LEATHER AND FAUX LEATHER

  1. For real leather look for tags that say, real leather, genuine leather, top/full grain leather or made from animal products. If it is labelled “man-made material” it is definitely synthetic leather. But if it doesn’t say anything at all, chances are good the manufacturer wants to conceal the fact that it isn’t real leather. Of course, used goods may have lost their tags
  2. Check the surface grain, the little “pebbles” and pores, for imperfections and uniqueness that signal genuine leather.
  3. Press into the leather looking for color change and wrinkles, real leather will wrinkle and change color slightly while faux leather will just depress down under your finger, retaining rigidity and shape upon release.
  4. Smell the leather. Real leather has a natural musty smell while synthetic leather has plastic-like smell. If you’re still unsure about the smell you can hold a flame up to a small hard-to-see area of the leather product for 5-10 seconds. Genuine leather will char slightly and smell like burnt hair while synthetic leather will actually catch the flame and smells like burnt plastic  
  5. Drop a small amount of water on the leather. Real leather will absorb the water droplets in a few seconds, fake leather will simply puddle up on top.
09 Nov
Expert advice

CHESTERFIELD CHAIR

Chesterfield chairs have a very distinctive and vintage look to them. They are often characterized by their high-quality stained leather, deep buttoning, low back and high arms. This style classic has graduated from the gentleman’s club and stately homes of the British Empire and nowadays can be found almost anywhere whether it’s in a hotel lobby, an office, or in people’s homes.

History of Chesterfield furniture

The term “Chesterfield” was first used to describe furniture in the 1800s. However, the beginning of this story is said to have originated long before then. Although there is no way of validating this particular piece of information, it is said that the fourth Earl of Chesterfield – Lord Philip Stanhope, was the first person to commission a Chesterfield sofa – hence the name. 

On his deathbed, Lord Phillip was said to have passed on his Chesterfield sofa to his godson, who proudly displayed it in his home. In its new residence, it was greatly admired by visitors where many went on to have their own versions made. This is how this style of furniture made its way into the homes of the British upper class.

The contemporary Chesterfield chairs

Practicality was valued over comfort during Lord Phillip’s era, but this all changed in the new century. Since then, the design of the Chesterfield has adapted and grown to include flair, practicality and versatility. Its look still remains elegant and timeless, but it has transcended beyond featuring in only the wealthiest of homes. Now, it will work with traditional or modern decor and a small or larger budget. When shopping for a Chesterfield today, there are more options available to match your home’s or office requirements. From fabrics to colours, to studding – the choices are limitless. These stunning chairs also come in a variety of styles.

Captain’s Chair                                                    Director’s Swivel Chair

15 Oct
Expert advice, Productivity

10 DAILY MORNING ROUTINES THAT WILL IMMEDIATELY IMPROVE YOUR PRODUCTIVITY

  1. Wake up at the right time

Being successful means waking up early – or so we have been constantly told. Waking up at ungodly hours won’t magically solve your time management problems, for some it can even be counterproductive. The trick is finding a routine that works for you and that means paying attention to when you feel most tired and most awake.

  1. Don’t immediately grab your phone

When you wake up and immediately check your phone, you’re being bombarded with messages, emails, to-dos and other stimuli which often creates a feeling of stress and anxiety. These stimuli are not giving you time and space to start your day calmly and are more likely to increase stress and leave you feeling overwhelmed.

  1. Make your bed

Accomplishing the first task of the day motivates you to take up all upcoming tasks.

  1. Exercising

Physical activity lets you de-stress, think better and sleep better. This could be a simple 10-minute jog, walk or hop on a treadmill and is more effective in the morning as it helps stimulate your endorphins and metabolism.

  1. Eat breakfast

Breakfast gives you energy for the first half of your workday and helps boost your memory and concentration. Of course, healthy options like berries, eggs, avocados, coffee or smoothies.

  1. Meditating

Meditating is a very effective way to rest your body and reduce anxiety levels, it helps you calm down and unwind. It’s easy and can be done at any time or place.

  1. Schedule your time

You know what things needs to get done, so you need to schedule your time accordingly otherwise you will wander.  How do you prioritize them? What is a precise date on which you plan to get them done? Do you have a deadline to stick to? Answering these questions and planning accordingly is easier with a schedule.

  1. Plan out mini-tasks

It’s a good idea to break up big tasks into smaller tasks. Start with a specific item and move on from there until you have finished all of it and then move to the next item on your list. The feeling of fulfillment you get when you complete a task, regardless of how small it is remains and pushes you to get more done.

  1. Take a break

Overworking leads to fatigue and that’s when you tend to get distracted or procrastinate. Take frequent breaks to avoid overloading your mind and body.

  1. Declutter your desk

Distracting items should be removed from your desk and keep only the essentials that actually help you successfully perform your job. Clutter can cause disorganization and chaos in your mind hence making it difficult to relax and focus on tasks.

05 Oct
Expert advice

5 MUST-HAVE ERGONOMIC OFFICE FURNITURE

1. Orthopaedic chair

A bad office chair can have negative effects on both your health and your productivity. A good chair should be comfortable, supportive, and most importantly adjustable. Ergonomic chairs encourage proper body alignment in order to improve posture, reduce pain and increase productivity.

2. Height Adjustable table

Reducing sedentary time and introducing height-adjustable desks has a significant impact not only on your productivity but also on your health and well-being. Height adjustable desks are motor-driven and with the press of a button, you can lower or increase the height till you reach the one you’re comfortable with.

3. Monitor Arms

Choosing a suitable monitor and placing it in an appropriate position helps reduce exposure to forceful exertions, awkward positions, and overhead glare. A monitor arm placed at the appropriate height, distance, and angle can help “prevent possible health effects such as excessive fatigue, eye strain, and neck and back pain.

4. Desk Risers

A standing desk riser is not a complete piece of furniture on its own. Instead, it is a sturdy and sleek apparatus designed to be placed on top of an existing desk, table, or other flat surfaces. A desk riser is an affordable alternative to a height-adjustable table especially if you have an existing desk. By allowing you to work while standing, desk risers help you to be more focused on tasks while improving your posture, reducing neck and back pain, more calories burnt, and an overall increase in energy.

5. Footrest

Having your foot on a footrest while working not only increases comfort but also has ergonomic benefits such as reduced pressure on your back and legs. Reduced leg pressure prevents blood clots, decreases swelling and varicose veins, and prevents deep vein thrombosis.

25 Sep
Expert advice

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CONFERENCE FURNITURE

Choosing the right conference table is of paramount importance considering the conference or meeting room is the key place for strategic planning and making important decisions affecting your business.

A well-designed conference room can facilitate important discussions and can be a source of productive ideas and meetings with your customers, suppliers and associates.

The table is the main element of the conference room furniture and choosing the one that best suits your needs is not easy, considering that there is a great variety. Here are some tips to help you make the best choice.

Room Dimensions

First, you’ll have to determine the size of the room. Keep in mind that you need room along the walls to pull out chairs, room to comfortably walk between the wall and a chair and room for when the chair is being used. At a minimum you should leave one metre spaces.

You will also need to consider what other functions the room has; for example, if your conference room will house other furniture or an audio / video station, you need to consider that space too.

Number of people

You’ll want to determine the number of people you want to seat around the table. In a pre-covid world, we suggested starting with allocating each user 75 centimetres of room and up to 100 centimetres for computers or documents.

Number of seats

The capacity of the room will help you know how many chairs you’ll need. It is also important to visualize how your table will look like to avoid the mistake of pairing your table with mismatched and disproportionate chairs that may seem out of place and impractical.

Type of table and aesthetics

The first step in identifying the type of conference table is choosing the one that suits your business needs, keeping in mind the aspect of comfort and efficiency.

If the conference table is the first thing you will buy for your meeting room, think about how it will affect the design of the rest of the furniture

At Victoria Furnitures different shapes of single or modular tables are available from which to make a selection: round, rectangular, square, semicircular tables. Choose shapes that maximize the functionality of the space and the impact of the conference room appearance. Then choose the materials and colors of the tables. Make sure the materials are resistant to scratches, shocks and high temperature liquids; they must also be easy to clean and maintain. For example, the melamine laminate summarizes all these characteristics and is available in a very wide range of solid colors and imitation woods; therefore, it represents a perfect solution for a table top. Tempered glass would also be a good option if you’re after that modern, classy look.

The legs of the tables, on the other hand, should preferably be made of steel or aluminum, which are resistant, functional and not bulky materials; they are also available in a variety of finishes, such as chrome plating, powder coating in various colors and anodizing.

You might also want consider how flexible you want your meeting table to be and for this you want a table that can easily and quickly be folded, stacked, transported and stored elsewhere. These features are particularly handy in active training courses, banquets and various kinds of events.

Power sources

It is very likely that phones, laptops, microphones and an audio video station will be used in your conference room therefore it is important to consider the placement of your power sources and how they might affect the function of the table. A good solution to this is getting a power module that not only serves as power outlet for your equipment but also has USB, HDMI, VGA and LAN outlets. The power module is also mobile therefore you can move it to any place you want.

Another important accessory is the cable manager which solves the problem of disordered and tangled wires.

Comfort

And finally, think about the comfort of those sat for hours in a conference or meeting. You want attendees to be productive and focused so ensure you have the right chair that lends support to the users’ bodies and enables them to sit at the meeting for as long is required without feeling any aches and pains. Select a chair with lumbar support, with adjustable arms, with adjustable heights and even seat depth adjusters.

15 Sep
Expert advice

WHAT IS A BREAKOUT AREA?

This is an area or space separate from the established and more formal working area and is dedicated for employees to spend time in, in order to take a much-needed break from their desk. This is an area or space separate from the established and more formal working area and is dedicated for employees to spend time in, in order to take a much-needed break from their desk.

BENEFITS OF AN OFFICE BREAKOUT AREA

1. Improves Employee Wellbeing

Allowing your staff to move away from their desks generally has a positive impact on their wellbeing. Breakout areas offer an opportunity for a change in scenery and being able to retreat to a comfortable seating area can help reduce stress at work while increasing creativity and productivity.

2. Provides Space for Interaction and Collaboration

Being confined to a desk can dramatically reduce interactions. Office breakout areas instead offer a great solution by encouraging interaction and enhancing communication between colleagues, this not only improves their productivity and creativity but also helps build strong workplace relationships.

3. Promotes Movement in the Office

The importance of moving during a working day in the office is becoming increasingly well-known and has even been linked to life expectancy and overall health. Breakout areas can offer a great incentive to get up and move around the office. Office breakout areas can also incorporate fun features such as table tennis, which increases mobility and movement.

4. Offers an Additional Workspace

Sitting in the same chair at the same desk day in, day out doesn’t always offer the most inspiring and productive setting. Breaking away from the desk to work somewhere different can be tremendous in injecting some creativity and inspiration into the working day.

5. Creates a Space Free of Distraction

Working in the midst of an open plan office can be a huge distraction for some and having the opportunity to move to a separate and more peaceful area can be a great solution. This not only improves employee satisfaction and happiness, but again contributes to productivity in the workplace.

6. Greeting Visitors

A breakout area can be an ideal space to meet up with visitors. The soft seating gives a more relaxed vibe to any meeting that you may have, making it much more welcoming and friendly than using a meeting room.

7. Adds color to the office

Colours affect moods and can inject enthusiasm in a person or cause countless emotions which can either be negative or positive. Breakouts generally come in a myriad of shapes and colors which is essentially useful in inspiring creativity.

15 Sep
Expert advice

WHY ORTHOPAEDIC CHAIRS ARE SO EXPENSIVE

Comfort

The seat and back of an Orthopaedic chair are not made of traditional upholstery but instead are lined with an intricate network of polyester mesh. This makes it light, flexible and breathable for a comfortable seating experience.

Scientific Research

An Orthopaedic chair involves a lot of research and development, testing of materials, concept iterations and involves the work and input of many scientists, engineers, designers, technologists and even health care professionals.

Quality and Durability

Orthopaedic chairs are constructed from materials such as wood, metal, high-end plastic and come in a variety of fabrics, finishes and flexible mesh. The chairs are put through rigorous testing methods for functionality and durability. These tests will determine the stability, strength, and reliability of the chair by applying standardized simulations of functional use as well as expected misuse.

Features

Orthopaedic chairs are designed with mechanisms that allow users to easily adjust the seat height, back angle, seat depth, chair tilt, arm location, seat tension and even the location of the lumbar support. The chair is able to adapt to your body type, working conditions and personal preference.