ANSI/BIFMA Testing for Office Chairs

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Not all office chairs are created equal, but what should you look for? ANSI/BIFMA-approved desk chairs have faced rigorous tests that encourage manufacturers to produce better quality furniture and strive for safety and efficiency at the workplace.

Let’s look at ANSI/BIFMA approval and how this approval can help when making an office furniture purchase.

Office Chair Testing

To be considered ANSI/BIFMA-approved, a general-purpose office chair must adhere to the standards set for all basic office chairs and any standards set for additional features. Like office desks, testing for office chairs can take days, depending on how many specific features the chair has that need to be tested. An office chair passes a test by withstanding the repeated and predetermined applications of pressure or weight.

Passing ANSI/BIFMA Tests

If an office chair holds up against the barrage of ANSI/BIFMA testing, it earns an ANSI/BIFMA stamp of approval. This signifies the outstanding quality and durability of the product. An ANSI/BIFMA-approved chair is built to last. It is entirely safe to use daily in any office setting and encourages a functional and sustainable working environment.

All ANSI/BIFMA testing is voluntary, as furniture companies and manufacturers independently choose whether to send their products for testing. Therefore, this approval truly shows dedication on the part of both the participating furniture companies and manufacturers to go above and beyond for customers.

What is Transitional Design?

What is transitional design? In short, it’s a blend of traditional and modern interior design aesthetics; however, this style can be tricky to pinpoint. When it comes to design styles, modern and traditional are fairly well-known and easy to define, but the lines are blurred when it comes to transitional pieces.

Transitional may be the way to go if you’re looking for a happy medium. So how do we define this signature style? Here are a few key differences that set transitional apart from traditional and modern.

Color

When it comes to color, traditional and modern designs could not be more different. Traditional furniture typically uses rich, warm tones such as mahogany wood and earth tone upholstery palettes. Modern pieces, in contrast, are known for utilizing bold, bright colors that are often incorporated with a lot of white and black.

Transitional furniture marries these extremes by incorporating a broader spectrum of color but in softer shades than what’s typically considered modern. Soft neutrals and subdued warm and cool colors are very common.

Shape

Traditional furniture typically features elegant curves and sweeping feminine details. Modern furniture, on the other hand, is often rigid and straight. Transitional furniture provides an ideal marriage between these styles—it’s most commonly straight, but you may find occasional curved lines here and there.

Details

Traditional style interiors feature elegant details, including picture frame drawer fronts, crown molding, and bun feet. Modern furniture typically doesn’t offer fancy flourishes—the more simple, the more modern. Transitional furniture provides a good blend, often focusing on classic yet comfortable elements.

Transition may be your signature style if you aren’t completely sold on the traditional look or the modern aesthetic. Transitional style’s mix of timeless elegance and contemporary clean is just the trick to achieving the best of both worlds.

How to Keep Guests Connected in Your Waiting Room

Sitting in a reception area for a long period of time while waiting for an appointment usually isn’t any fun for most people. While offering reading materials and refreshments is a great way to keep guests comfortable while they wait, the majority of visitors would probably prefer to pass the time by using their mobile devices for reading articles, surfing social media and playing games. Here are some ways you can facilitate smart phone and tablet usage in your office’s waiting area.

Pacific Retina Care

Industry: Eye Care

Location: Waipahu, HI

Furniture Collections Used: Lesro Newport

Pacific Retina Care is a medical and surgical eye care practice that specializes in diseases of the eye. When it came time for the clinic to outfit its office with new guest seating, Dr. Mark E. Tafoya and staff had a couple of items to mark off their checklist of wants and needs.

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