Investing in quality furniture is a smart long-term decision for any company, as your choice has a significant impact on productivity and employee health. Investing in quality furniture is essential to ensure proper ergonomics and comfort during long working hours. In addition, it is not only a matter of choosing furniture that meets aesthetic requirements, but also of considering aspects such as sustainability and durability.
Why it is important to invest in quality furniture
People who work in offices spend a large part of the day sitting in our chairs and using office desks, so it is important that these pieces of furniture are ergonomically designed to avoid muscle pain and long-term injuries. In addition, quality furniture can improve comfort and reduce stress, which in turn can increase worker motivation and concentration. Another important aspect to consider is the durability and resistance of the furniture. A low-quality piece of furniture can wear out quickly and require frequent repairs or replacement, resulting in additional long-term expenses. Investing in quality office furniture may seem more expensive initially, but in the long run it results in significant savings by not having to constantly replace furniture. In addition, durable furniture tends to be more sustainable as it reduces the amount of waste generated.
Not to mention the safety factor, which is extremely important in office furniture and can only be guaranteed by quality furniture. We are talking about flame retardant qualities, anti-tip systems, etc.
In addition, the choice of furniture has an impact on the corporate image of a company. A well-equipped and comfortable work environment conveys a better brand image, both internally and externally.
How to identify quality furniture: regulations and certifications required
Identifying quality furniture is essential to ensure that you are investing in a product that meets the standards necessary to ensure the safety and comfort of workers. One way to identify a quality piece of furniture is to verify if it complies with the necessary regulations and certifications. In the case of office furniture, one of the most important regulations is ISO 9001 certification, which establishes international standards for product quality management. Other important certifications include FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification to ensure that the wood used in the furniture comes from sustainable sources.
Ofita products also have other certificates such as the Tecnalia certificate, which guarantees that the product meets the following standards: quality of materials / product safety / healthy working environments / environmental and social sustainability / accessibility / fire performance.
View Ofita product certificates here
Ofita’s quality and environmental commitment are also endorsed by the ISO 14001 certificate for environmental management and ISO 14006 for eco-design. In this field of sustainability, Ofita was also the first Spanish company to obtain the European LEVEL® level 2 certification.
LEVEL® is the first European certification covering all relevant aspects of a product’s sustainability. It is based on the sustainability standard developed by the Fédération Européenne du Mobilier de Bureau (FEMB). Sustainability means that processes do not deplete the resources needed to manufacture products.
Another aspect to consider when identifying a quality piece of furniture is the material used in its manufacture. Durable materials such as metal can be more expensive but also more resistant in the long term. In addition, it is important to consider the ease of maintenance and cleaning of the furniture, as we argued in this previous post in which we talked about the advantages of metal vs. melamine furniture.
The importance of ergonomics in office furniture
Ergonomics is a fundamental factor to consider when choosing quality furniture, especially office furniture. Workers spend long hours sitting in chairs and using desks, which can lead to muscle aches and long-term injuries if the furniture is not properly designed. This is why office furniture must be ergonomically designed to adapt to the individual needs of workers.
An ergonomic chair should have an adjustable backrest, lumbar support and adjustable armrests to ensure correct posture and reduce pressure on the spine. In addition, the seat should be wide and deep enough to allow for a comfortable and unrestricted posture. As for the desk, it may be advisable for its height to be adjustable to allow workers to adjust it to their height and avoid back and neck strain, such as Ofita’s Multilevel desks.
A comfortable work environment adapted to the individual needs of employees can improve concentration and reduce stress, which in turn can increase efficiency and productivity.
Sustainability, another key factor in choosing quality furniture
Similarly, sustainability is an increasingly important factor to consider when choosing quality office furniture. Furniture manufacturing can have a significant impact on the environment, from the felling of trees to the emission of greenhouse gases in transportation and production. For this reason, it is important to choose furniture that is environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Sustainability also has an impact on a company’s corporate image because commitment to the environment improves public perception and demonstrates corporate social responsibility. In conclusion, investing in quality office furniture is a smart long-term investment that can have significant benefits for worker health, safety and productivity, as well as for the environment and the company’s corporate image.
