The Distinctive Life

LIFE & LEISURE

INVEST IN AN OFFICE CHAIR

Finding the perfect ergonomic desk chair is often equated with finding hidden treasure. You can do a lot of searching and follow many false leads, but when you strike gold, it will all be worth it. Some people focus on chairs that fit with their décor or have some history to them. Who wouldn’t love to write the next great American novel while sitting in a chair that belonged to their favorite novelist? But in most modern home offices, the desk chair is whatever fit into the room at the time of its creation, and it is doing nothing to boost productivity. In fact, a bad home office chair can actually make you less productive. Unless you are specifically searching for a chair with history or a specific look, focus on getting an office chair that fits your body well. You want it to be adjustable so that it is high enough for your arms to be comfortably flat on your worktop or slightly angled downward if you will be typing all day. Next, feel how your body is supported in the chair. You shouldn’t feel strain in your back, hips, or knees when sitting with your feet placed flat on the floor or a riser. Now, consider your budget. A luxury office chair can be expensive, but if you are using it daily, it might be worth a splurge, especially if it will help you stay productive and keep you from developing poor posture habits that can stress your spine. Luxury office chairs can range from a couple of hundred dollars to thousands or more, with the most expensive chair in the world (the Xten Office Chair by Pininfarina) ringing in at $1.5 million. If you aren’t ready to invest quite that much in a chair, take a look at luxury options like the “Think Chair” (fantastic ergonomic design)

from Steelcase or “the Eames Executive Chair” (a classic done in stunning leather, perfect tufting, and a deeply cushioned seat and armrests). Looking for something that has both a modern edge and a traditional feel for your home office? Try the Grand Executive Chair from Vitra. The high-back version costs approximately $6,300, but its wingback- like style, adjustable neck cushion, and FlowMotion mechanism make it a wonderfully comfortable choice. INSTALL MODERN ANTI-FATIGUE FLOORING If you have embraced the idea of adding a modern standing desk into your home office or your job, or other creative passions require long hours working by design boards, the editors at Better Homes & Gardens recommend laying down supportive flooring, like an anti-fatigue floor mat or an area rug with an ultra-plush rug pad. Are you interested in elevating your office refresh even more? The magazine suggests “installing cork flooring, an antibacterial surface with cushioned support that’s perfect for a standing desk.”

32 | THE DISTINCTIVE LIFE®

Volume 9