Archive for the ‘Office Desks’ Category

HON Desking Lets You Know You’ve Arrived

Tuesday, September 13th, 2011

Nothing tells the world that you’re at the top of your professional game like being surrounded by richly grained wood office furniture. But solid wood is pretty pricey. There’s nothing wrong with achieving the same elegant look with a nice veneer to give your furnishings the appearance of importance. The Arrive series from HON puts a slightly different twist on wood veneer or faux wood laminates. You’ll see more than just plain desktops here. Laptop docking trays and articulated monitor arms discretely support technology without interrupting the lines of the furniture.

The collection includes desking, storage, tables, and multi-media centers all coordinated to warm the room with red and gold overtones. Many of the flat vertical surfaces have a bead board effect with small grooves to add texture. Contoured edge detailing adds an authentic solid wood look that most laminate covered desks can’t match. The wood is stained and finished to resist wear and tear. But you’ll still want to make guests use a coaster to protect the wooden surfaces – out of respect for your prestigious position!

Modern Workstations: Are Benches Back?

Thursday, July 21st, 2011

Steelcase makes a compelling case for benching in the workplace as an alternative to both cubicle and desk style workstations. The most obvious difference between benches and cubicles is the fact that there are no panels involved. If you want to create a very social working environment and assigned tasks don’t tend to require a high level of concentration, you may be able to forgo cubicles. But what’s the big difference between desks and benches?

First, there are the space savings. Steelcase estimates a 22-26% reduction in the amount of space required for benches compared to other workstations. Worktables can be ganged together to create one long worksurface with a single spine for data and power distribution. Desks are often L or U shaped - designs that can hog a lot of room. But benches are always rectangles. This means employees will have less storage space and less total square inches of work surface with a benching solution. But they will still have plenty of elbow room to give them a sense of “personal space” without feeling closed in.

This type of workstation is highly flexible since it can be expanded or rearranged in minutes. With today’s wireless and paperless technology, that’s a definite plus. You can find the company’s 360 whitepaper on the topic here to discover more pros and cons.

Steelcase SOTO II Captures NeoCon Gold

Friday, July 15th, 2011

Steelcase has gone home from Chicago this year with more than just memories. The cubicle manufacturer was awarded the gold in the Office Accessories category – beating out 3 competitors. The other entries in this section were all variations on the whiteboard. There were mobile whiteboards, giant whiteboards, and even green (eco-friendly) whiteboards. That was apparently a little too much white to show up with at NeoCon – even before Labor Day.

The Winning Entry

The SOTO II really stood out from the rest with its assortment of worktools from the Details collection. This newest line of tools is designed to speed mobile workers to productivity by making workspaces easy to organize. That way, they can spend less time setting up an area and more time on profitable tasks. As you’ve come to expect from Steelcase, these designs were based on interviews, surveys, and other research to find out what employees want and need.

Meet the Tools

Many of the tools serve multiple purposes. For example, a Functional Screen that can be attached to either side of a worksurface to create an instant privacy panel doubles as a slot to hold documents or binders. The “Personal Pocket” is a small, vertical storage bin that can be attached to a desktop divider or to the Mobile Caddy that the employee can roll to any assigned station. Power, storage, and space division all come together in the Launch Pad that provides multiple desktop outlets.

These tools were recently added to the collection which already featured a couple of ergonomic flat panel monitor arms (one of which can also support a laptop). An under-worksurface sling to hold a CPU and keep it from being tipped over was another of the pieces in the original line. Other SOTO II tools are more subtle – like the little cable organizer clips that keep cords in line.

Will future additions to the collection appear at NeoCon 2012? If so, what items would you like to see?

Exotic Woods For Executive Desks

Wednesday, July 6th, 2011

Are you planning to have an executive desk custom-made from scratch for your office? Tried and true materials like maple, mahogany, walnut, cherry, and oak are all good choices. But if you pick a traditional wood, you really need to go above and beyond with the architecture of the desk to make it unique. Another possibility is choosing exotic lumber that brings its own character to your desk – using the rest of the design to showcase the wood itself. The example at the top of this post is curly myrtle slabs under glass tops from exoticwoodfurniture.com. It’s a great example of how you can use a piece of wood of any shape to make a desk. Here are two more of the many exotic woods you might want to consider:

Koa

This is a highly sought after wood in the Hawaiian cabinetry and furniture trade. It stains to a rich golden or red color that highlights the shimmering quality of the tiger striped grain. This is a fast growing hardwood that is similar in quality to walnut. A full desk veneered in koa would definitely be eye-catching.

Padauk - Amboyna Burl

This highly figured burl is from the Narra tree in Eastern Asia and Africa. It’s swirling design is captivating and deeply colored (reddish orange or purple). The rich natural hue of this wood means it can be finished with or without a stain. Padauk is known for its resistance to warping or decay.

Workers Covet Height Adjustable Workstations

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011

According to Laura Casey at the Contra Costa Times, people are taking workstation ergonomics into their own hands to get some relief from the long hours of sitting required for many of today’s white collar jobs. Some are constructing their own standing desks out of whatever they have on hand. Unfortunately, going from sitting all the time to standing all the time brings a new set of physical complaints. The ideal solution is a workstation that is height adjustable to allow employees to sit and stand as needed throughout their shift.

This surge of interest in ergonomic worksurfaces isn’t just being felt at the end-user level. Employers are interested in this option as well. That’s evident in the number of “Best of NeoCon” entries in the training and work table section that are height adjustable. Almost half of the entries in that category are adjustable desks, tables, and mobile pedestals. Hopefully, the glut of designs on the market will serve consumers well by ensuring competitive pricing on ergonomic workstations.

Favorite Italian Executive Desk Designs

Friday, May 6th, 2011

There are a lot of great U.S. manufacturers for office furniture, cubicles, and seating; but occasionally a situation calls for something really special. Executive office desks are one item that people tend to buy because it’s different rather than because it matches the rest of a company’s décor. When it comes to stylish desks, imported Italian designs are a top pick.

The Wayback Machine

The Italians have been designing gorgeous desks for hundreds of years. If you don’t believe it, check out this antique beauty. It’s solid wood with gold plated trim. The bookcase and desk set is valued new at 60-70 grand. But it’s yours for the low, low price of $16,500.

Segno by Della Rovere

This series of glass and metal desks are the antithesis of ornate. Here’s a black glass oval executive desk with two circular side tables. This furniture ink blot test should give visitors a sensation that they are in the presence of greatness.

UFFIX – Tazio Prestige

The Tazio desk has it all – modern styling, functionality, and expensive wood. The exotic wood varieties featured in this executive desk are called Aniegre and Bubinga. That’s sure to be a conversation starter when someone comments on your beautifully furnished corner office. Prestige? I should think so!

Her Majesty, the Queen

This Manerba Queen executive desk from Furnitalia is another sectional desk that has add-ons available for conferencing. The smooth metal columns combined with the rich red finish give this piece an air of elegance fit for royalty.

Back to the USA

If you want a top shelf desk without having to ship it from Europe, there are also some very nice designs you can order locally. For example, San Diego Cubicles Office Environments has a contemporary wood finished L-Desk with a P-Top that captures the geometric stylings of some of the best Italian furniture.

Minimalist Office Furniture Products

Friday, December 17th, 2010

The IKS line of office furniture products makes it clear that going with a minimalist design doesn’t mean the furnishings have to look cheap, tacky, or unimaginative. In fact, this Italian collection is the opposite. The construction of most of these workstations is metal and melamine veneered particle board, but the lines of the furniture accentuate style over materials. So, even the furnishings for an entry-level worker catch the eye and spark the imagination. Colorful paint choices range from red and lilac to sea green and blue for metal surfaces while the melamine desktops are offered in muted beech, pear, and grey to create a soothing palette.

To see a good example of the ways these Della Valentina designs play with the concept of modularity in office furniture, check out the desk in the image above. One half of the L shaped workstation is crafted with a circular radius. The connecting side table looks like a cookie with a bite missing. Since it is set on casters, it can be scooted around to fit on the curved end of the desk on the side nearest the user or up to 180 degrees on the opposite side. This means it can function with equal ease as an extension of the worksurface or turn the desk into a collaborative space for a mentor and trainee.

Average Desk, Cubicles, Offices Swarming With Germs

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

This original study funded by the Clorox company was done a few years ago. But with flu season in full swing again and employees dropping like flies, it’s a good time to refocus attention on the study’s findings. It appears that the average toilet seat is cleaner than the average desk. Cubicles where workers are allowed to eat snacks or their lunch are some of the dirtiest places in the office. The typical desk surface has bacteria levels 400 times higher than those found on a commode seat. Bacteria colony sizes rise throughout the day and spike after lunch.

Computer keyboards and phones were other office items that played host to millions of germs. Although the study focused on measuring bacteria levels, it’s important to note that cold and flu viruses can live on surfaces for as long as 3 days. That’s plenty of time for them to be passed between cubicles. Desks treated with disinfecting wipes just once per day demonstrated a 99.9% reduction in pathogen presence. So, if you want to reduce absenteeism from illness this winter, invest in some Clorox, Lysol, or Seventh Generation wipes. Then make sure your employees remember to use them. Telling them that their desk might be dirtier than a toilet seat should do the trick

Office Furniture Solutions For Tall Workers

Tuesday, August 31st, 2010

Being above average height can make finding office furniture solutions a chore. Many task chairs can be adjusted for height (or have a custom cylinder installed to add a few inches). However, that doesn’t mean the seat depth will be suitable for someone with very long legs. A short seat won’t provide support for the thighs. Similarly, worksurfaces that are too low can lead to problems with posture and arm positioning. Choosing adjustable tables or desks is a fairly simple solution to this problem – and offers more options to employees of all heights.

As far as seating goes, many manufacturers have Big & Tall selections in their product lines. These chairs are designed for larger employees (taking both height and weight into account). Of course, the higher price tag associated with these furnishings is not a guarantee of comfort. For example, a wing backed, overstuffed executive chair is not suitable for shift work that requires hours of sitting at a stretch. You need to pick a high quality office chair that is designed for flexibility and adjustability to provide good back and leg support for long periods of time.

Commercial Office Furniture: San Diego Businesses Need Specialized Furnishings

Tuesday, August 10th, 2010

commercial office furniture San DiegoEven if you are only furnishing a small office space for a dozen employees, you should avoid buying office furniture that is designed for home use. That’s because there are important differences between residential and commercial office furniture. San Diego companies that make the mistake of purchasing home office furnishings will find themselves facing issues as their business expands.

Commercial office furniture is built with maximum adjustability in mind. An individual who is shopping for his/her own desk and chair will be able to try multiple models and find just the right fit. Your employees have to make do with whatever you pick out for them. This means you need the most ergonomic options that will adjust to suit a wide range of workers. High quality business furniture does usually cost more than what you might find at the local Office Depot, but productivity and employee satisfaction may balance out this initial investment.

Workstations that are designed for a commercial environment have features not found in home office desks. For example, panel systems have cable and wire management systems that are designed to reduce costs for delivering power and data to each cubicle. They are also intended for making maximum use of office space by interlocking in various configurations. In contrast, home furnishings are often designed to function as the only workspace in a room and can sometimes be more decorative than functional. A beautiful antique desk may be suitable for an executive office, but it isn’t well suited to a busy work environment that hosts multiple employees.

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