Ergonomic Design In Homes Post Pandemic

Ergonomics is a science-based discipline that relates to the placement and designing of products or furniture to enable utmost comfort, safety and increased productivity or performance in people. Of course, the term ‘Ergonomics’ became wildly popular after COVID-19 and home office trends, but quite frankly, an ergonomic design is just as important in all rooms of a home as it is in your home office.

What is Ergonomic Design?

Ergonomic design refers to a product, piece of furniture or even space that can reduce human efforts and increase comfort while working or relaxing. It can be as simple as placing your TV at eye level so there’s minimal stress on your neck or it can be something you invest in, say an ‘S’ shaped ergonomic home office chair that supports and mimics your back while you work long hours. 

What are the Types of ergonomics?

There are three types of ergonomics according to the International Ergonomic Association; 

• Physical ergonomics
• Cognitive ergonomics
• Organizational ergonomics 

Physical ergonomics refers to the design and arrangement of products that reduce the physical load on the human body i.e. injuries, strains and stress from improper posture. 

Cognitive ergonomics refers to the ‘easy to use/access’ design and arrangement of products that increase or support the cognitive capacities of a person  i.e. memory, mental processing, perception, reasoning and decision making. 

Organizational ergonomics, also known as macroergonomics, is the complete optimization of the environment, right from management to team effort. 

All the aforementioned types of ergonomics are collectively vital to improve the quality of life of every member in your home. 

Importance of ergonomic design furniture and its placement:

Let’s look at some of the benefits of ergonomically designed furniture and how it can improve quality of life:

Improved productivity:

With little to no stress on the muscles of your body, you will be able to give your utmost attention and concentration to whatever task you take up, whether it’s completing deadlines, reading a book before bed or watching your favorite sitcom! Additionally, productivity is also improved when furniture is placed ergonomically. For example, when designing a kitchen, it is absolutely vital to place the refrigerator, stove and the kitchen sink in a triangle design. This is called the kitchen work triangle and has been followed by many designers to provide comfortable access to the three most common areas of a kitchen.

Better overall health:

There’s a famous saying – Good posture promotes good health. Bad posture can eventually lead to some serious injuries and health complications such as migraines, spondylitis, back pains, spine curvature, disturbed sleep and poor digestion. Furthermore, prolonged hours of sitting in a bad posture can lead to further serious problems like obesity, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and arthritis. While it is important to use ergonomic design furniture, it is also advisable to take a break and practice some quick stretching exercises to get your muscles moving and blood flowing. 

Improved energy levels:

Ergonomic design homes are clutter free, have more space between furniture and are arranged in a manner that is comfortable to use and access. This ensures free moving around, improved moods and higher energy levels. 

Unexceptional back support:

Ergonomic design products and furniture are built in such a way that provides optimum support to your neck, shoulders, back and spine. These include ergonomically designed mattress, pillows, couches, and the other work-from-home essentials – ergonomic home office chair, keyboards, mouse and desks. All these products ensure proper blood circulation, minimal pressure and stress on your joints and are extremely comfortable! 

Encourages safety:

With proper eye level gadget placements, upright dining practices, ergonomic home office chairs and desks and comfortable ergonomic mattresses and pillows, your muscles will be less likely to experience stress or strain. Ergonomic design at home promotes safety and comfort for you to be able to perform your daily tasks with absolute ease! 

Tips to incorporate ergonomic design in your home:

1. Keep only necessary furniture and place them at least 50cm away from each other to ensure easy movement and navigation. 
2. Keep an eye for the user’s height, weight, and age to customize furniture placement that is comfortable for everyone to use. 
3. Pay special attention to feet by investing in ergonomic lounge chairs, mattresses, pillows and workstations that provide proper posture and blood circulation to the legs. 
4. Practice the 20/20/20 rule where you change your vision every 20 minutes, at an object or a person that is 20 feet away for a minimum of 20 seconds. This change regulates eye and neck movement and reduces the risk of digital eye strain, headaches and shoulder strains. 

In simpler words, an ergonomic design home is beneficial for every member of your family. You could also look up eco-friendly decor ideas and feng shui tips to incorporate into your homes to bring in more positivity and sustainability! So declutter, move furniture around for easy access, and last but not the least, invest in ergonomically designed furniture, to give your body the comfort it deserves.