Archive for the ‘furniture’ Category

Tips While Choosing Your Office Chair

Posted on September 29th, 2009 in furniture | 2 Comments »

Employers, too, have a responsibility towards their employees to make sure that they work in the best possible conditions in order to improve work efficiency and thus resulting in better productivity for the company itself. Many health problems, like back aches, stiff shoulders, leg swelling and headaches, can all arise from an uncomfortable chair.

Why do I need to carefully choose an Office Chair?

• Improved efficiency at work.
• Less health problems, like back and shoulder aches, headaches, etc.
• Ergonomically viable.
• Less sick leaves and thus better productivity.
• Adjustable chairs allow freedom of movement and allow the user of the chair to make whatever adjustments he requires.

Some things to consider when choosing your Office Chair:

Backrests

Backrests are very important, as you need back support for sitting long hours at your desk. The backrest should be adjustable according to your height. Also, the backrest should be movable so it moves with you whenever you change positions. If the backrest isn’t attached to the seat, then it should be height adjustable and angle adjustable. Also, it is important that the seat has a locking mechanism in place so that when you tilt back, the seat does not topple over.

Height

We all are not the same height, so it is important that the height of the chair can be adjusted accordingly. For the best effect, your thighs should be parallel to the floor. Pneumatic adjustments are the best for maximum support.

Lumbar Support

The spine is not straight, but is slightly curved, so it is important that the chair back is also in the same shape to give you maximum support. Lumbar support is essential as it prevents you from slouching through the day’s progress and also reduces the strain on the lumber discs in the spine.

Depth and Seat Width

The seat of the chair must be wide and deep enough to allow you to sit comfortably. A deeper seat is better if you are tall and a shallower seat if you are short. Also, there should be little to no space between your back and the backrest. Also, the distance between the back of your knees and the seat should be around two to four inches.

Armrests

Armrests are extremely important, as you need as much body support as possible when you are working. Armrests take some strain off your shoulders and neck. Also, make sure the armrests are adjustable so you can do so to suit your requirements.

Padding and Material

The padding of the chair should be comfortable to sit upon and make sure it is neither too soft nor too hard, as both will be uncomfortable after a few hours. The material used for the chair covering should allow your skin and body to breathe. Also, it should not be a material that retains a lot of heat; otherwise this becomes very uncomfortable to sit on after long periods of time.

Swivel and Adjustment Controls

These two features should be present on your chair so as to allow for maximum movement and freedom. You should be able to adjust your chair to suit your every need. Swivel will allow you to turn your chair without getting up and casters allow you to move your complete chair if you want to; just make sure you get the right casters for your office surface.

Eco Friendly Furniture

Posted on July 7th, 2009 in furniture | No Comments »

The world is not the same place as it was just a few years ago. Most of the world has been given a new focus and a new goal. One of our most important focuses these days are taking care of the planet we all live on. The way that we humans have been polluting and downright destroying this once so fantastic planet, is just shocking.

There so many Tips for home and eco-friendly is one of them which will not only make your home looks better but also help your planet to survive longer.

What can we do about it? There are certainly a lot of things we can do to make sure that the following generations can enjoy this planet as much as humans have done for ages. It all starts with realizing that every small contribution counts.

What does eco friendly mean?

That an item is eco friendly basically means that the item doesn’t hurt the environment in any way. An example would be the use of electricity made from wind power instead of coal power plants.

What is the difference between regular and eco friendly furniture?

Regular furniture is made from all kinds of materials. The common denominator for most of them is that they are usually sprayed with toxic paints or waxes. The toxic material is really harmful for the environment when the furniture is outdated and thrown away. Either the furniture is placed in a place that lets the toxic material run out with wastewaters, or they are burned and the toxic goes up into the atmosphere. The eco friendly furniture on the other hand is not treated with any such toxins. They are made from pure natural materials and will, if thrown away, be no danger to our environment.

Are they still using wood to produce eco friendly furniture? And how do they deal with the forests that are almost wiped out?

Most of the eco friendly furniture is made from wood. There are two things that the producers do to take care of the forests we still have left. Number one is the fact that a lot of the eco friendly furniture is actually just old furniture that has been recycled. That way we do not have to chop down one single tree. The second thing is that the wood that is used only come from forests that are well maintained and well protected. These forests are regularly inspected by “eco detectives” and this ensures that they are preserved in a manner that we all can live with.

Do I need to change all my furniture now, or can I do it gradually?

In fact, the best thing to do is to do it gradually. If you just throw away all your furniture now, you will not help the environment at all. If you have something that you need to throw away, be sure that you either deliver it to some kind of workshop that can put it back to use or give it away to someone else who can use it. This way you probably save a few trees and thereby make a contribution to the environment. If everybody did this, we would have fewer problems in this world.

Modern Furniture

Posted on April 25th, 2009 in furniture | No Comments »

Today, a lot of outdoor furniture is made according to modern furniture styles. Outdoor furniture is subject to a lot of wear and tear due to nature’s elements. Moisture is a major menace and hence only certain woods such as teak can be used for outdoor furniture. However, these tend to be bulky and expensive. Because of this, synthetic alternatives such as plywood, plastic, and fiber are widely used today in the manufacture of outdoor furniture. These materials are resistant to moisture and decay, and are lightweight and easy to maintain. Moreover, they can be easily molded to form various different shapes. As a result, modern outdoor furniture is available in a wide array of designs. Sharp edges have been replaced by curves, which perfectly support the body contours.

From teak tables and chairs, to wicked furniture, aluminum, and metal outdoor furniture, the amount of beautiful options do not end there. There are many kinds of metal outdoor furniture and accessories that perhaps you’d never imagined before! Items such as outdoor lamps, area rugs, pillows and even patio sofas! Many of these are available virtually maintenance – free and are becoming more and more popular. The lot more important is wicked furniture so take care of the things when you go for buying your furniture.

The Importance of Patio Furniture Covers

Posted on April 5th, 2009 in Furniture Covers, Patio Furniture, furniture | 2 Comments »

Why do you store your car in a garage and keep it covered at other times? You do it so that you can protect it against the vagaries of the weather. It can be rain, snow or the harsh sun showering those hazardous UV rays on the car. You need the car paint to last really long and do not want it to fade away. Well, if your car deserves such protection, then why not your patio furniture? Most patios are open and do not have a patio roof. patio-furniture-coversThe furniture lies exposed to the weather at all times and if you do not cover it, its lifespan decreases. Quality wooden furniture usually lasts for ten to fifteen years if properly taken care of. This same duration can go down by half if they are not cared for. This is precisely why you need patio furniture covers. Patio furniture covers are extremely durable protective covers that offer protection to any kind of patio furniture. They are usually made of vinyl and offer complete protection against water, moisture and sunlight. There are covers available in the market today for all kinds of patio furniture including tables, chairs, chaise lounges, gliders and ottomans.

Types of covers

You need to buy a cover for your furniture depending on the size, shape and the quality of the furniture. For example, if you have an antique teak wooden table, you should give it the best protection that you can afford. There is no reason why you should settle for anything lesser than a top quality vinyl cover. On the other hand, if it is an ordinary plastic table, you can settle for something cheaper.

  • Chaise lounges: When it comes to outdoor furniture, nothing can beat the style and comfort of chaise lounges. They have become so popular that almost every other home in the US has a chaise lounge resting on their patio. Any sensible chaise lounge owner would want to protect their investment and hence also buy chaise lounge covers along with the lounges. Not only is it extremely important to cover the frame to prevent it from cracking and rusting, it is also important to cover the upholstery. Chaise lounge slip covers are the best bet and they can slip over the lounge snugly and offer a perfect fit. They need to be secured at the base with straps or Velcro straps.
  • Gliders: Today, it is not just kids who love gliders. There is a fair share of adults as well who love to glide while they are in the outdoors. You can move while you converse with gliders. They have become so popular that in the last few years, gliders have been paired up with just about any other piece of outdoor furniture. Hence glider covers too are made for just about any kind of glider. Glider covers are usually kept open at the base. This allows the glider to breathe and does not trap in the moisture causing it to swell. So if you have a glider in your backyard, invest in a glider slip cover.
  • Table and Chairs: Tables and chairs are the most common piece of outdoor furniture that you will ever come across. Almost every home that has patio furniture has a table and chair set. What makes it difficult to choose table and chair covers is the fact that you can choose from individual covers or a single cover that covers the entire set. A patio table and chair cover set can easily accommodate a set of six chairs and a table.

The internet is the best place to get some more information about outdoor furniture covers. You can browse through the complete catalog and then make an informed decision.

About The Author: Jonathan Goodman is the owner of Market Merchants an online retailer specializing in home and garden products. My passion for bbq grilling and fireplaces is the core focus of Market Merchants. I am a member of the Hearth Patio Barbeque Association (HPBA), the National BBQ group (NBBQ), and the Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS). We sell these products because we love them and are passionate about consumer living needs. So whether its furniture and decor, home improvement, kitchen and dining, or outdoor living Market Merchants brings a dedicated commitment to the customer and a passion for high quality products.

Patio Furniture Accessories

Posted on March 26th, 2009 in Furniture Covers, Patio Furniture, furniture | 2 Comments »

Having great patio furniture can really enhance your outdoor space and make your summers more enjoyable but when you are shopping for furniture don’t forget about the accessories.

It’s not enough just to buy great patio furniture. In order to get the full enjoyment you need to make sure you have all the things that go with it. If you are buying a table and chair set, you’ll need a good umbrella in addition to making sure you have enough room to seat the whole family. If you are getting some chairs and a settee, you’ll need some end tables and maybe even a coffee table. Either way all your furniture will need great cushions and protective coverings.

Patio Umbrellas

No matter what type of patio furniture you have, an umbrella is a must to keep you out of the hot rays of the sun. You can invest in a wide variety of umbrellas and materials to create the cool place in the shade you have always wanted. Be sure to pick an umbrella that is sturdy to hold up against winds and that has a durable fabric. Sunbrella is the ultimate in out door fabric because of its breathable as well as durability against the harshest weather.

If your patio furniture doesn’t have a mechanism to hold a patio umbrella, an offset pole patio umbrella is a great way to move with the sun. You can place it over your patio furniture set while you dine on your morning brunch or have it over your chaise while you sip a cool drink in the afternoon.

Patio Cushions

When buying cushions for your patio furniture it is important to get materials that are comfortable, long lasting, weather resistant and beautiful. You should make sure your cushions have the right density per size to maximize it’s drainability and let water pass through it easily. If you go for cushions that are dacron wrapped, you’ll be sure to get almost the same comfort you get in your living room. Your patio furniture cushions shouldn’t feel like a flat box but should create an element of comfort and support for your back, dry out quickly when the get wet and last for years.

Patio Furniture Covers

When bad weather is on the horizon or at the end of the season, you’ll want to protect your patio furniture with covers. Most outdoor covers are designed to be durable and withstand harsh weather. Since you want your covers to stay on, you should buy only furniture covers that have a Velcro fastening system. For durable covers, purchase UV treated fabric so you never have to worry about deteriorating due to the strength of the sun.

Your cushions need special protection from unwanted dust and heaven forbid the nesting of insects or other small rodents. Your best bet is to store them inside in the off season, but if you must leave them out be sure the are protected in a sealed cover.

How to Choose Patio Furniture

Posted on January 11th, 2009 in Patio Furniture, furniture | No Comments »

Decorating an outdoor living area such as a patio or porch can be exciting and daunting all at once. What type of material should you choose? What and how many pieces should you purchase? What size, color and texture will best suit your outdoor space? To answer these questions, you’ll need to ask yourself a few more and determine what your needs really are.

How often will you use it?

This is the most important question to ask yourself when deciding what type of patio furniture to purchase. The frequency of use will help you decide if you need something lightweight and easily storable, such as plastic chairs, or durable and long lasting.

If you plan on using your patio several times a day during permitting months, you should look for well constructed, durable hard woods such as teak. These will not only stand up to a frequent use (and probably abuse) but will be easier to clean and maintain. Hardwood patio furniture, while more expensive, is more capable of withstanding the elements than its less expensive counterparts.

How forgiving is your climate?

Depending upon your area, you will need to consider many factors for your furniture. Usually sunny climates will require shade for the furniture and its owners, to prevent sun damage and premature weathering. Areas that are temperate year round can afford to leave the furniture outside, but should maintain some type of covering, whether it is a tarp or sheet, to protect the furniture during inclement weather.

For climates that do not allow year round use of the patio, owners should maintain an adequate storage space. This can be indoors, such as a garage or attic, or an outdoor storage shed. The important thing is to protect the furniture from premature weathering from extreme weather like snow or sleet.

Extremely wet climates should avoid anything made of metal, as it is likely to rust.

Do you already have a style?

You may have already planted an English rose garden or want to set up a patio under a Southern inspired tree grove. The color and style of your existing décor will play a contributing factor in the type of patio furniture you purchase. Ideally, the newly selected furniture will blend seamlessly into the existing style and provide an outdoor extension of your home. If you do not already have a style, you can be more experimental in your selections and develop a style as you go along.

The selected furniture should always match the mood you want your living area to provide. Teak offers a warm, inviting atmosphere, while wicker provides a traditional appearance. The typical uses and perceptions of each material, color and style should weigh heavily in the decision. Take your time to make an informed decision. You will be enjoying the furniture for years to come.