Top Furniture Tips

The first time I heard the name kneeling chair I thought it was some kind of freak furniture. I didn’t know what a kneeling chair looks like before. The only information I had then about this small office furniture is from an employee of a company which includes the chair in their retail line. The guy often suggests I should try one of those because I indulge long hours sitting in front of the computer.

 

 

 

The original kneeling chair was the Balans chair. It was developed in 1979 by Norwegian Peter Opsvik, along with three other designers, on the initiation of Hans Christian Mengshoel. Their intention was to create furniture that would give support and comfort to the natural and balanced sitting positions.

 

 

There may be some people who will look awkward the first time they try to use the chair. Others may even feel stiffness. It is only natural, especially if they have been only accustomed  sitting on a conventional office chair.

 

 

I would suggest, that on the first day of using your kneeling chair to sit on it for 30 minutes only and then adding increments of another 30 minutes every day, for about a week. Keep your original office chair so that you can alternate between the chairs until you get used to your new sitting experience. This procedure should  be able to adjust your body to comfortably sit on your kneeling chair for longer hours.

 

When sitting on a kneeling chair your body is positioned in such a way that it forces the hips more forward, meaning you will have an open angled hip. This kind of position significantly reduces the pressure on your lumbar, thereby preventing back pain.

 

 

Kneeling chairs are mostly recommended for people whose work or activity requires long hours of sitting. There are several ergonomic and health benefits one can derive from this office furniture. It increases productivity while at the same time relieving you from possible back pain.

 

 

 

Other  Health Benefits

 

 

Aside from being a solution to back pain kneeling chairs also helps in the correction and improvement of posture while at the same time keeping your spine healthy.

 

 

Kneeling chairs give you the true sense of balance and composure by easing the pressure on your  spinal column and diaphragm, and improves your alertness and ability to breathe freely.

 

 

Some Disadvantages

 

 

I would have to say though that kneeling chairs are not the perfect ergonomic office chairs. they also have disadvantages. First off, the sitting position limits movement and obstructs circulation in your legs.

 

 

In kneeling chairs your knees bears the  more weigh of your body which can be a cause of concern to some. But there are new models today where the shins rather than the knees are resting on the forward support pad.

 

 

Another disadvantage is that it will be inconvenient to get in  and out of the chair because of the tight spacing between the angled seat and the support pad.




 

 

 

There are several types of recliner chairs available in the market. Each of them has their own function and features that suits the consumer’s needs. All of them not only give comfort and pleasure but also has health benefits to the user. In my post Why Recliner Chairs Offer the Best Furniture for Relaxing I had enumerated different types of recliner chairs and their uses.

 

 

LIFT CHAIRS FOR THE DISABLED

 

One kind of recliner chairs that caters essentially but not specifically to the world’s aging baby boomers with disability problem are recliner lift chairs which are also called riser recliners or simply lift chairs. This functional furniture is also important for your grandparents who have had hip or knee replacement or have arthritis to somehow still live comfortably despite their limited mobility.

 

 

 

According to a report of the Central Intelligence Agency the world’s population by 2050 will consist of 1.5 billion people (16.3%) who are 65 years or older. In 2000 there were  only 6.9% . The report also noted that the US population will have 19% of people over 65 years in 2023. Most people who reaches the age of 65 years and older starts to have some form of disability due to poor health. It would be safe to assume that the trend of buying furniture that will help the elderly in their mobility issues will increase in the future.

 

  FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES

 

Most recliner lift chairs are plugged to an electric outlet, but they can also be run on back up batteries  when there is power failure.  To operate the chair a remote control is provided in which by pushing the corresponding buttons the user can get the sitting, standing or reclining position he desired. Some lift chairs can recline to an almost flat sleeping position. Others will allow your legs to be elevated higher than your heart. Medical practitioners said this is good for blood circulation to the heart.

 

 

The different positions that a lift chair provide are most beneficial to patients who suffer from  a condition that leaves them confined to a couch or chair for longer periods. It prevents occurrences of sores, swelling and stiffness of the body because of the prolonged sitting. For easier use lift chairs have wider seats compared to other recliner chairs.

 

 

ZERO – GRAVITY POSITION

 

 

As what has been mentioned above, if you are in a reclined position where your legs are raised higher than your upper body, the blood circulation in your heart improves which is good for health. This is  called the zero-gravity position. Some  furniture store and medical shops sell recliner lift chairs which has this feature but at a premium price.

 

Zero – gravity position was adapted from the posture astronauts take during take-off on a space mission.  Escaping the earth’s  gravity causes intense  changes in pressure and it is necessary to position oneself in a way to endure these stresses. The chairs where astronauts sit assumes the reclined position in order to distribute the stresses across their body.

 

 

THE CHOICES

 

If you are looking for recliner lift chairs that would be suitable to the need of whoever would use it and which would fit your budget, there are three options.

 

The least expensive is the 2 position lift chair. This type will assist you in getting you in a standing position easily but will not fully recline back like the more expensive ones. It will only recline to a position that will enable you to read.

 

The second type of lift chair is the 3 position which can do what the first one does but will recline to the point where you can take a nap more comfortably but not totally flat.

 

The third and  most expensive lift chair is the infinite position type where you can almost adjust to almost any position you want including a full recline. The back and footrest operate independently unlike the first two types. The zero-gravity position is a major feature of this kind of lift chair.

 

 

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Kontrast Furniture – A Bench, Table and Chair All in One

 

The statement ” Imagination is more important than knowledge” was once again proven to be true in this piece of furniture developed at the University of Belgrade.  I want to share this discovery because of its uniqueness and the potential to become a commercial success.

 

 

The furniture was the concept of Uros Vitas for their project at Wood Processing &
Furniture Design, Faculty of Forestry, University of Belgrade in Serbia.

Kontrast is a multifunctional piece of furniture, adjustable in length, designed as a bench, with a possibility to transform into a chair, stool or a small table, with different sizes, to be combined and adjusted as desired.

It is made of solid wood (steamed beech or ash certified origin), prismatic elements 25 x 35 mm, connected using simple finger joints and metal screws (for an efficient disassembling).

Sliding is accomplished through  the use of wooden or metal sliders, while the backrest can easily be mounted / dismounted, without the need for additional fastening or adjusting.

Surface is treated using a water based stain and mate lacquer with the idea to be used outdoors.

 

 

The idea behind  this multi-functional chair is to create a  non conventional furniture that will outline the beauty of natural compromises-conditional advantages and faults which make life possible.

The uniform building element and object proportions symbolizes building blocks and organic unity, as a universal principle often found in nature.

The contrast in color should imply to attractions of the opposite, the beauty of differences and their efficient coexistence.

 

Kontrast chair, or bench however the furniture may be called, has already won two awards: The first one was  the Golden Key Award in sitting furniture at the Belgrade International Furniture Fair in 2006. The second was Serbian Union of Inventors Diploma for successful presentation of innovation at the Business  Base Belgrade International Fair, 2007.

In 2010 it became part the First
collection of furniture prototypes of the University of Belgrade, along
with 31 student projects, which was established by the mentor Jelena
Matic, and 24 students-authors.

 

 

 

One of the benefits of the Kontrast chair is for people who does not have a lot of room area in their homes. The piece will definitely save them space and money from buying other products which has the same purpose already incorporated in Kontrast.




 

Summer season in countryside America is synonymous to Adirondack chairs. Why? Because during this time a lot of rural folks enjoy the comforts of sitting on these popular chairs outside their homes, while reading a book or just watching the view of their backyard.

 

Also called Muskoka in Canada, the very first Adirondack was designed by Thomas Lee in 1903. It was made up of eleven pieces of wood cut from a single board. His prime purpose of building the chair was to make it adaptable to the steep inclines of the Adirondack mountains where Thomas and his family were vacationing.

 

On first notice one would wonder why Adirondack chairs with their unusual back and seat almost touching the ground and wide armrests are so well liked by many  Americans. The reason behind this is that sitting  outdoors in one of these chairs is simply very relaxing.   When sitting on this outdoor furniture, your legs will be higher than your hips which gives extra pleasure if you put it on  a slope on long periods of sitting. Their broad flat arms may also serve as a mini table to put a glass of drink while you rest.

 

Evolution

 

Since its inception, Adirondack chairs has evolved into several varieties. From  single chairs made of wood, they are now made of plastic or engineered wood. But  many people still prefer the Adirondack which is made of wood. The original design by Thomas Lee was made of hemlock.   Some manufacturers of Adirondack chairs  offer different types other than the single-seater. They now include folding, rocking, love seat, or ottoman. Others even have an extra matching table to go with the order.

Folding Adirondacks

Adirondacks can’t be stacked like other types of patio furniture chairs so someone came up with a folding one. Hinges are added in strategic parts to make for sturdy sitting and at the same time quick and easy folding during winter months.

Rocking Adirondacks

 

 

 

This type has all the same features of the regular Adirondacks but with an added feature of a rocking chair.

Recliner Adirondacks

What I love in these chairs is that you can choose the angle of sitting which you think most comforts you.

Adirondack Chair Ottoman

 

By including an ottoman, the Adirondack chair turns into a lounge chair, looking more like a part of it rather than a separate piece.

 

Build Your Own

 

If you happen to have some knowledge in woodworking you can build an Adirondack chair yourself. It doesn’t require a professional carpenter to construct the furniture. But you need to have some tools and a plan.   You can find plans for Adirondack  at any large bookstore, woodworkers store or you can download it online. Usually it includes diagrams which are scaled from the actual dimensions, the materials you will need and instructions on how to assemble the parts.

 

You can download a PDF f format of a woodworking plan for Adirondack chair here:

Woodworking Plan for Adirondack chair

 

Finding  A Store

 

If you would prefer to buy  instead of making it, there are many furniture stores selling Adirondack chair. It would be best however that you purchase from a furniture store that specifically sell Adirondack  chair where you could find and select multiple styles and designs.

 

 

 

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Folding chairs and stacking chairs are today’s most popular furniture items especially for special occasion such as meetings, birthday parties, and  gatherings when there is a need to provide seats to several person. These types of chairs offers  efficiency in terms of saving space and time. However, they have advantages and disadvantages over each other.

It would be best if you could discuss with your online furniture store the features of their stacking and folding chairs before deciding to buy. In the meantime you are free to read on to know more about these chairs. I hope this tips help you make the wise choice on your shopping.

 

Stacking Chairs

 

The price for Stack Chairs are a bit higher than that of folding chairs but stacking chairs are more comfortable and sturdier. They are often used in cafes, banquets and restaurants. Nowadays you can see stack chairs on new churches who would rather prefer them than wooden pews because of financial reasons or that the place is also used for other purposes not only for religion.

There are several types of stacking chairs available in the market with regards to their frames. There are available steel or aluminum frames and wooden framed stacking chairs. Some of them could have an upholstered seat for added comfort.

But the most popular and commercially successful stacking chair or probably any kind of chair is the polypropylene stacking chair or more commonly called the Polyprop. It is a work of designer Robin Day in 1963. Until now it is a best seller due mainly to its affordability to all; meeting almost every seating needs and  combines durability and elegance.

 

Folding Chairs

 

Folding Chairs are worthy investment. Besides being comfortable and stylish they are also portable which you can carry on the back of the car for any outdoor activity. They are a great companion when you go out fishing when sitting next to a riverbed.

You can maximize your storage space with folding chairs because they can easily be bended and transported on a caddie; watch an event in the park  while sitting on the furniture or carry it along on a picnic without burden due to its light in weight.

Folding chairs are classified according to the kind of materials. The earliest types are made of wood but today they are commonly made of plastic. These plastic chairs are probably the least expensive and quite popular for less extravagant events.

A more expensive type are the padded ones. The back of these chairs are still plastic but their seats are padded with fabric which gives the user much comfort especially when sitting for a long time.

Behind the plastic type metal folding chairs are mostly purchased which are more durable due to the 18-gauge tubing for the frames.

 

Advantages and Disadvantages

Stack chairs and folding chairs also have drawbacks when compared to each other. Folding chairs have advantage over stack chairs in their light in weight and has more compact storage ability. On the other hand stack chairs has a more professional look and can be put away quickly using a dolly.

Another plus factor for stack chairs is their durability which requires less maintenance than folding chairs. Folding chairs may bend and collapse under the weight of the person sitting on it.

 

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It’s been a hard day working like a dog and you should have a much needed rest upon reaching home. You don’t want yet to slumber; your favorite team is playing in a live championship game and you don’t want to miss it.

 

The most fitting piece of furniture you can relax your body while watching TV is on a recliner chair; at the same time having ample supply of beer and snacks.

 

The above example is just one of the comfort and convenience one can derive from a recliner. Other benefits you can get in using a recliner are for medical and mobility problems. Recliner chairs are generally bulky and as the name implies, they recline.

 

 

Types of Recliners

 

Recliners are members of the family of motion chairs. Subsequently, there are several types of recliner chairs according to their function and purpose. I would like to mention some of them here:

-The swivel recliner can turn 360 degrees aside from its ability to recline.
-A rocker recliner rocks when in an upright position.
-Recliner lift chairs are motorized and mostly used by people with mobility problems.
-Massage recliners massages your tired body tenderly while relaxing.
-Manual recliner chairs are the simplest type which can be manually reclined by using a lever located in one of the sides.

 

Benefits

 

Sitting in a reclined position is good for the body, that’s what doctors say and recommend because when your feet is raised above your heart pressure is removed from your spine, thereby giving you an enjoyable relaxation. The (S) position formed while sitting on a recliner makes the body in a correct posture and lumbar support, thus relievingback pain and other medical conditions. Incorrect sitting posture can cause an irregular blood circulation.

How to Buy

 

Looking for a recliner that could suit your needs is not a difficult task. There are, as what have been mentioned above, all kinds of recliners that fit your body size and shape even if you are a wrestler type. They are also available in different colors and fabrics. Leather recliners are quite expensive as they are stylish and virtually stain resistant. If you prefer some accessories to match your selected piece of recliner you could opt for an ottoman or a footstool. They provide additional comfort and convenience for your relaxation.

 

 

“If a man insisted on being serious, and never allowed himself a bit of fun and relaxation, he would go mad or become unstable without knowing it.” –Herodotus.