Transitional Office Spaces : A New Trend

Transitional Work Stations | Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne

Office spaces today are evolving as companies look for ways to encourage collaboration, energize workers, and get a wider range of uses from their office space investment. Transitional office spaces and furnishings are a key component of designing work spaces with this flexibility in mind. Brent Stoller, of Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne, says, “Many of our clients are looking to get more ‘bang for their buck’ from their office spaces. Sometimes the space needs to work for conferences or training sessions. Other times it needs to allow workers to meet in small groups to collaborate. And, of course, quiet spaces for concentration and focusing is still a necessity.”

What would the ideal transitional office space be like?

  • A space that allows you to switch things up as needed
  • an office layout that encourages communication and collaboration, but also offers employees quiet spaces as needed
  • furnishings that are versatile and hardworking with interchangeable components or other design options that promote flexibility

But keep in mind that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to every organization’s workplace needs. “We offer a number of products, such as the ABCO Smart Table, to help our clients create the transitional space they need.” states Brent Stoller. “Our designers pride themselves on staying on top of all of the latest trends in office environments. They love coming up with creative ideas that exceed our clients expectations!”

If you are interested in making your office space more collaborative but don’t know where to begin, the office furniture and design professionals at WorkSpace Solutions can help. Visit the new Workspace Solutions showroom in Fort Wayne at 2200 Production Road.

Choosing the Perfect Office Chair

choosing-the-perfect-office-chair

What are you looking for in an office chair?

Is your office chair a pain in the neck – literally? You are not alone. With the wide variety of office chairs available, it can be hard to find the right office chair that’s best fits you. As humans, we’re all made differently, with a vast array of body types. Shouldn’t our office furniture reflect that? If your office chair is causing you pain, it’s time to find that perfect office chair that works for you; not the other way around.

What type of Office Chair are you?

In order to find the best office chair that fits your lifestyle, you must first assess what your work habits and lifestyle consist of. You need to take a sort of “What Office Chair am I?” -personality quiz, if you will, by answering these three questions:

1. What am I looking for in a chair?

There are a few main things that you can look for in a quality office chair. Ask yourself, which of these qualities is most important to you?

  • style
  • maximum ergonomics and lumbar support
  • comfort level

2. What are your work habits?

Consider what a typical workday looks like for you. Do you spend the most time:

  • running around the office; from meeting to meeting, etc.
  • sitting in your chair for extremely long periods of time
  • equal parts sitting and standing

3. Which type of fabric do you prefer in an office chair?

  • leather
  • smooth mesh fabric
  • leather or mesh

Once you have answered these three questions, then you can begin deciding what office chair will best fit you. Based on your answers above, here is a quick guide to what kind of chair you should be looking for:

Washington Office Chair by Gunlocke

Washington Office Chair by Gunlocke | Workspace Solutions
If you answered “A” to two or more of these questions, you are probably looking for a chair like the Washington from Gunlocke. This extremely elegant office chair emits feelings of power and comfort.

The oversized leather style and thick, padded seat and armrests offer extreme comfort. The solid wood construction of the cherry base pairs extremely well with subtle hints of brass, culminating in an elegant, traditional style. The Washington office chair also happens to be the Oval Office Choice of eight Presidents. With the Washington, you are certainly in good hands.

Ceres by Hon

Ceres by HonHowever, if you answered “B” to two or more of these questions, there is a strong chance that you are looking for an office chair similar to the Ceres by Hon. You are obviously a hard worker – sitting in your chair for long periods of time, not letting any distractions get in the way of your work. Not only do you deserve a high quality office chair that emphasizes comfort and ergonomics, your working habit demands one!

When designing the Ceres, Hon started out with a great deal of scientific research based on one question – How do people sit? After researching exactly what it is that people need in a highly ergonomic office chair, they began constructing the industry leading office chair, Ceres.

After discovering a lack of lumbar support as the user reclines, Hon used this information to create the amazingly comfortable and supportive ergonomic chair. Their solution was to design a chair that offers lumbar support in any position – a backrest that moves in motion with your body.

Along with maximum lumbar support and ergonomics, its incredibly user friendly, intuitive adjustments allow this chair to easily move any way your body moves.

The Acuity work chair from Allsteel

acuity work chair | workspace solutionsAnd, finally, if you answered “C” to two or more of these questions, the Acuity from Allsteel is certainly for you! You are a flexible and versatile team player. You need an office chair that is just as versatile as you are. The Acuity is the best of both worlds when it comes to comfort and style. Allsteel uses Acufit Ergonomics to make sure that this chair is a great experience for whomever sits in it. It’s recline and lumbar support both adjust, depending on your weight.

Allsteel believes that the simpler, the better. In the Acuity, they have removed all of the unnecessary pieces to create a sleek, modern office chair that looks straight out of the 22nd century. This modern design, in collaboration with its ultimate comfort makes this chair an incredibly versatile chair. For added elegance, this chair even comes with an optional upholstered jacket (available in leather) that fits right over your chair back.

Workspace Solutions has the Office Chair you are looking for

Whichever type of “office chair personality” you are, Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne can help you find exactly the type of chair you are looking for – one that works for you to provide maximum comfort, support, and style. Stop by our office furniture showroom for all of these great office furniture options and many more.

How to Get More Exercise at Work

ways to get exercise at work

How to get more exercise at work and keep your New Year’s resolution.

2015 is here, and for many of us that means a chance to start over. This time of year, New Year Resolution’s are on many people’s minds. It’s time to give up some bad habits and pick up some great new habits. For many, a popular resolution is to get rid of a few extra pounds, eat better, and do a bit more exercising.

Working in an office environment can often make it easy to pick up some bad habits when it comes to your health and fitness. Keep your New Year’s resolution with these tips on how to incorporate some healthy habits into your work day.

1. Start with your Commute

Your morning commute to work can be a great way to add some extra workout into your day. If you live close enough, ride your bike! If you take the bus, get off a few blocks earlier, and walk the rest of the way.

If you drive, parking your car on the far end of the lot can be a great way to squeeze in some extra steps throughout the day.

2. Take the Stairs

Avoid uncomfortable elevator small talk, while getting some cardio! What’s not to love? Simply switching to the stairs can be a great way to add some exercise to your day. After you’ve mastered the stairs, try taking them two at a time!

Rather than taking short coffee breaks throughout the day, take some short breaks to get in some extra exercise. Climb up and down the stairs a couple of times, just for fun.

3. Bring healthy snacks to work

One disadvantage of working in a fast-paced office environment is that sometimes you’re not left with much time for lunch. It can be tempting to go with fast food – it’s quick, it’s cheap, it’s tasty. Rather than eating a fatty, calorie loaded lunch, bring a few small healthy snacks to eat throughout the day, along with your smaller, healthy lunch.

Digesting foods more frequently will help to speed up your metabolism. Rather than simply packing your lunch in the morning, pack enough food for the entire day. Bring an apple for a mid-morning snack, and some carrots for an afternoon snack.

4. Squeeze in some workout time

During any down time you might have, use this as a chance to squeeze in some quick workouts. Waiting for the copier to print off your 50 page report? Don’t just stand around waiting for it – use this time to do some squats. Stand with your legs shoulder width apart, and slowly lower your body, bending your legs so your knees make a 90 degree angle and your thighs are parallel to the ground.

You can even squeeze in some workouts while seated in your office chair! Next time you sort through your flood of morning emails, try slowly lifting your legs to an extended position. Hold that position for a few seconds, and then slowly bring your legs back down without letting them touch the ground. Repeat. This is a great, simple ab workout that can be done sitting down at your desk, while actually working!

5. Consider a standing desk

Of all of the things you do at work, sitting is by far the unhealthiest. Research has shown that typically, no amount of working out can undo the negative effects that sitting all day has on your body. Proponents of standing desks have a saying – “Sitting is the new smoking.”

“In order to combat the negative effects of sitting in a chair all day, a popular trend in office furniture is standing desks – desks built taller to force you to lose the chair!” says Brent Stoller of Workspace Solutions Office Furniture Store in Fort Wayne, IN. “Standing at work encourages frequent muscle movement and activity.”

adjustable standing desk

adjustable standing desk by  available at Workspace Solutions in Fort Wayne, Warsaw, South Bend, and Indianapolis

If you don’t want to commit to standing eight hours per day at work, Brent Stoller suggests Quickstand by Humanscale. The Quickstand clamps right to your existing desk and is easily adjustable allowing you the option of sitting or standing while at work.

For more information on whether or not a standing desk is for you, check out Standing vs Sitting Desks.