7 Clever Tips to Ergonomically Design Your Living Room Furniture
Homes are designed based on personal aesthetics, convenience and overall looks. Seldom is attention is given to the functional aspect of furniture – what kind of seating is comfortable for the back and spine, how much at a distance should appliances be placed, how must one design the layout of the living room, and more. As mundane as these may sound, they must not be ignored.
Ergonomics is the designing and arrangement of things so that they are easy to use and safe. Using furniture that isn’t ergonomic can have subtle, long-term detrimental effects on the body, spine and general health over a period of time. As a rule of thumb in decor, one must never sacrifice functionality for looks. here are the 7 Clever Tips for Ergonomically Design your living space:
1. Поддержка ног
One of the tenets of good ergonomic design is support for the feet. Seating is very important and the lack of support to the legs results in dangling legs, stress on pressure points behind the knees and backs of the legs. Sitting forward to compensate for this, leaves the back unsupported, resulting in pain and encouraging slouching.
2. Случайное размещение гаджетов
Gadgets in a living room are often placed at varying heights, without any thought to convenience and usage. TV’s and music systems must be placed at approximately 30-34″ above floor level. This is also dependent on the homeowner’s height. Watching TV at eye level while sitting, reduces strain on sight.
3. Undue Importance to Gadgets
Placing the TV on the wall with a sofa facing it instantly promotes the TV to the most important position in the room around which everything else revolves. TV’s are unattractive, but most importantly they distract attention and divert focus from other people. Gadgets must never occupy pride of place in the living room.
4. Customized Built-in Furniture
Customizing a long built-in bench or window prevents central clutter as well as creates window space that can be used for seating or storage. Placing all the furniture in the centre of the room is what we most often do, but can be stressful and space-occupying. Moulding the window seat and creating curved support (just like in the homes of old), ups the ergonomic quotient providing comfort to the back and spine.
5. Addition of Curved Lines
Добавление изогнутых линий — это умный способ привнести эргономичный дизайн в гостиную. Изогнутые линии успокаивают, и каждый элемент — от произведений искусства до мебели — может быть выбран так, чтобы имитировать эффект кокона и амортизацию тела для максимального комфорта.
6. Space Between Furniture
Ensure that there is ample space between different types of furniture. Maneuvering around the living space first happens mentally before the body makes its move. Leaving any less than 50cm space between different items of furniture becomes difficult in navigation and movement.
7. Stress-Less Furniture
Stress-less furniture is pieces where stylish designs and ergonomic forms meet. Recliners, cushioned sofas, L-shaped sofas, less sharp edges, more volume and extensive support provide comfort and take care of the body even after long hours of use. They lend aesthetics to the living space too.
Living rooms designed without aesthetic considerations of furniture and décor, tend to get stressful and chaotic over time. Often such furniture gets neglected, with people choosing other areas of the home to lounge around. While designing living rooms, it is essential to make ergonomics a central part of the design. Select your furniture carefully and you will find that your home can be as comfortable as you need it to be. Need help with your design? Talk to the experts at HomeLane today!
10 Ergonomics Dos and Don’ts for Those Now Working from Home
In an effort to stem the number of coronavirus infections, millions of Americans are now working from home, transforming kitchen tables and bedrooms into temporary home offices. Many are working under less-than-ideal ergonomic conditions—a kitchen chair that’s too low, a table that’s too high. You get the idea. Poor ergonomics can make or break your work-from-home experience.
С этим в мыслях, БУ Сегодня reached out to Carolyn Herkenham, a Boston University Environmental Health & Safety senior specialist and industrial hygienist, and licensed physical therapist Kelly Pesanelli (CGS’94, Sargent’96,’98), a Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences lecturer in health sciences, for some tips and tricks to help you create an ergonomic workstation at home.
DON’T hunch over your laptop
Fit the backrest curvature of your chair to the small of the lower back to avoid lumbar discomfort. Illustration by EgudinKa/iStock
Легко поработать за ноутбуком несколько часов в выходные, но работа по 40 с лишним часов в неделю может привести к перенапряжению спины, плеч и шеи. Если есть возможность, используйте внешний монитор или подставку для ноутбука (с внешней клавиатурой и мышью), чтобы поддержать экран. Когда вы смотрите на экран, линия вашего взгляда должна быть на уровне адресной строки веб-браузера.
ОБЯЗАТЕЛЬНО работайте на соответствующей высоте
Find a working height so that your elbows naturally fall flush with your table/desk height. This will promote better wrist alignment rather than impingement or carpal tunnel stress.
DO use an office chair if possible
Adjustable features on an office task chair will save you from lumbar and neck discomfort.
Когда вы сидите или стоите, локти должны быть согнуты под углом 90 градусов, чтобы запястья были максимально прямыми. Иллюстрация предоставлена Humanscale Consulting
DON’T give up on your current chair
Если у вас нет офисного стула, есть некоторые предметы домашнего обихода, которые помогут вам приспособиться. Подложив под ягодицы твердую подушку или плотно сложенное полотенце, вы приподнимете бедра и увеличите изгиб позвоночника, что сделает сидение более комфортным.
НЕ позволяйте вашим ногам болтаться
Place your feet on a few books or boxes under your desk, so that your thighs are nearly parallel to the floor and your hips are slightly higher than your knees. This will reduce stress on your lumbar spine.
DO follow the 20/20/20 rule
For every 20 minutes spent looking at a computer screen, you should spend 20 seconds looking at something else 20 feet away. This gives your eye muscles a break and helps reduce eye strain.
An image illustrating the 20/20/20 rule. Illustration courtesy of JustStand.org
DON’T turn your couch into a workstation
As tempting as it is, the couch is not an optimal place to work at your computer for the entire day. Although it may be comfortable, having your legs or full body in a vertical position can lead to muscle numbness and discomfort.
НАСТРАИВАЙТЕ пространство под себя
Try to set up a workstation that you can make entirely your own. Sharing a workstation means you need to adjust your computer height, chair, and furniture every time you sit down. Often, you may choose to skip adjusting the workstation altogether. If you are the only person using the space, customizing will reduce the time and discomfort of sitting at a station that does not fit you.
НЕ пропускайте обед и следите за тем, чтобы избежать обезвоживания
It’s easy to snack throughout the day instead of eating like you did in the office. Making a meal and staying hydrated gives you the opportunity to stand up, walk around, and let your eyes have a rest from the computer screen.
ОБЯЗАТЕЛЬНО вставайте и ходите
The goal is to get in as many steps as possible during the day, even if you are at home instead of on campus.
If you are interested in speaking to a BU Environmental Health & Safety professional, you can fill out an ergonomics self-assessment here.
