Best Office Chairs on a Budget | Commercial Design Control Inc.

People ask us what we think is the best office chair when you are starting your company and budget is a great consideration. My answer is “one that is comfortable to the majority of the users and fits your style in terms of looks and budget” :)

There are so many chairs available that it becomes mind boggling trying to seat an entire office with just one chair. Price is always a big factor, so you want to get something that will work and be comfortable as well as not break the bank.

First you should to consider if there are any specific ergonomic needs in your group such as wrist, back or hip problems. Are your users mostly men or woman or a mix? What are the job functions of your users? Do they sit and work at a computer all day, or are they walking around the office a lot and occasionally need to relax in a stretching position? These are a few of the many factors you need to think about when you are picking a single chair for many users.

To help with your decision, we at Commercial Design Control Inc. have come up with two chairs that we call the “one size fits all”.

When using these chairs, you can be quite confident that you will be please the majority of the population in your office. Special needs aside, these chairs are supportive and cover the basic ergonomic functions with a price that is easy to handle.

I like to use a Manager’s chair style that doubles as a board room/conference room chair, and a good task chair to serve your users in admin, sales, customer service and accounting. Here are two chair models that will get you started.

CDC - 5500 Task Chair - Mesh Back
Price $189.00 per chair

Performance Rating:“Excellent”
Model CDC - 5500 has a thick padded seat and breathable black mesh back for a high tech style, comfort and durability.

CDC - 3121 Managers/Board Room

Price $179.00 per chair
Performance Rating: “Comfort level high”
Model CDC - 3121 is a mid-back ergonomic chair with a molded foam seat and back with plastic back guard protecting against walls and sharp edges. This chair is more geared towards traditional comfort and excellent for a Manager’s office or Board Room space.

Chair models include the following:
Lumbar Support
Lumbar support provides support to the lower back.
Height Adjustment
Pneumatic seat height adjustment personalizes the height of the chair.
Synchro Tilt
2-to-1 synchro tilter reclines while keeping the seat cushion level.
Adjustable Arms
Adjustable arms for raising and lowering arm heights
Base and WheelsHeavy duty nylon base and dual wheel carpet friendly casters
Warranty – 15 years warranty on all non-moving metal parts, 2 years on components parts and 3 years warranty on upholstery fabric and foam makes them one of the best chairs out there.

These are two chairs that will cover your most basic needs, however we suggest looking at our website for more ideas of recommended seating and how to select a chair that will work for your office.

Office Lounge Seating | Commercial Design Control Inc.

Lounge seating can play an integral part in representing your office. It’s usually placed at the front or in the reception area making it the first place of contact for a visitor. You can choose lounge seating based on the needs and nature of your business.
These days there is a huge variety of sleek and stylish seating available that can meet your office requirements.
Lounge seating can come in single, two seater (also known as love seat) and three seaters. It can be anything as modern and contemporary to traditional and formal, casual and inviting or with a European flare.

Once you have chosen the style of the lounge seating that you like you should then pay attention to the fabric and finish.
There is a variety of grades available that can be used to upholster the seating. However, the higher the grade the more expensive the seating will be. High quality stain resistant fabrics may be expensive but would be better off in terms of longevity. The chair with a higher grade fabric may sound expensive at first but, it will hold its color, and maintain its finish longer due to the quality of the material. These chairs will have a lot of different users, so the finish has to last and look good. Be sure to invest in a stain resistant, high quality fabric that will compliment your reception area, but will also hold up to the everyday use of your guests.

These days some people like to opt for benches in the office receptions. If you like the idea of having colorful wrapped foam benches in the office you have various choices. Nowadays suppliers have benches or seating that can be configured to the style you want. Some have seating options that are specifically designed for children and could be a good investment if your business deals with little visitors at a regular basis. It’s a great idea for pediatrics office, Montessori, daycare, libraries, and music or art studios.

Modular chairs and sofa with or without armrest and a various options of side tables can be used for a big or small spaces. Different options and colours can help you create your own style and ambience which can makes your workplace unique. If you wish you can add a few ottomans or extra tables around the lounge seating. Just make sure that the room is balanced and the furniture is placed in a way that the room doesn’t look too crowded.

Boardroom Furniture | Commercial Design Control Inc.

The Boardroom is the heart of the office. It reflects the style and the communication grounds that companies use to come together. Boardroom furniture should be simple but impressive. It should show how a company visualizes themselves to its staff, and the outside world.

The Boardroom is where big and small ideas are taken and decisions are made. Collaboration, socializing and power all go into the board room so the furniture should be comfortable, simple and easy to use. It should create a statement that identifies and outlines the company itself.

These days you can choose and customize boardroom tables based on style, budget and usage. Most tables are built with Multi-Outlet Power Modules that can be used for direct access plug-in for laptops, media devices and phones. Finishes and details for size depend on your square footage of the room, budget and the design style of the office. Wood finishes are very popular for an executive board room whereas a laminate finishes would normally be used in a manager’s conference or meeting room.

At Commercial Design Control Inc. we provide a number of options in boardroom tables and seating which can be customized and reconfigured based on your needs and space. We provide our customers varying table sizes that will accommodate a small 4 person meeting up to a 50 foot long custom table that will accommodate up to a 60 person meeting. Media speakers, cameras and flat screen monitors are connected to the table and used for amplifying and enlarging the visual view as required.

Boardroom table legs come in many choices depending on your top style and finish. Wood gables, steel posts and laminate slabs are used depending on the look as well as the budget set aside for the project.

Seating for the table should accommodate the average body frame. A certain percent of the chairs should have a larger seat pan and base to ensure all body types can be seated comfortably for long periods of time. Ergonomic height adjustments for the seat and arms should be easy for the user to use. This will aid in having your guest sit for longer periods of time without feeling any back or leg pain. Make sure there is enough space around the table and behind the chairs. You should aim for at least 36” behind each chair while someone is sitting in the chair before hitting a wall or another piece of furniture so people can excuse themselves from the meeting with little disruption to other meeting members.

Use a side credenza or a small side table for drinks and refreshments. A lectern or screen can be added for presentations depending on the need and usability.

At the end of the day the boardroom furniture should reflect your organization’s stature and the people that are working there. To create a productive meeting place for your board room, aim for a blend of elegance, professionalism and comfort; you will be thanked by your guests!

Lab Area Furniture | Commercial Design Control Inc.

Ergonomically correct, versatility and adherence to lab rules and regulations are important factors to consider when you are planning to build a lab testing workstation.

The workstation should provide a high level of productivity, be flexible for future changes as well as be aesthetically appealing. Common elements like water spills and harsh chemicals are part and parcel of most of lab areas and must be taken into account while planning how the workstation will be designed.

At Commercial Design Control Inc. we make sure all of the above factors are kept in mind when we are challenged by such a project. We adhere and meet all the compliance requirements that are standard for laboratory workstation design. Our job is to make sure our clients get a workstation that will suit their needs for the various element conditions within the laboratory and the budget the client has set out for project.

Layout: When designing a lab area workstation, todays furniture trends are to keep the area open with lower levels of privacy. We achieve that by using a 50” sitting height privacy divider panel that allows the user to have a level of privacy while sitting in the station but maintains the openness of the general area for those walking around the area. However, if there is a need for more privacy we recommend using a 69” high divider panel which will give the area standing height privacy. These divider panels should be made from laminate or metal tiles with aluminum or metal frames which should be raised 4” off the ground by using a post leg. These panels will provide the extra privacy and raising them off the floor will protect against floor spills and moisture. The panels can also be used to hold storage items such as shelves, device holders and paper trays.

Workstations: We recommend our clients use a work surface that is made from nonporous material either metal or high pressure laminate. The tops should be min. 2” thick and be height adjustable. A corner surface is recommended where the computer is first and foremost and used to keep the work within “arms reach”. In the case where a laptop is used, a straight surface with proper laptop storage will be adequate and serves well to spread out testing equipment brought back to the workstation.

Electrical and Wire Management: Electrical and cabling management should be stored within a self-contained box built up off the floor and easily accessible to the user providing a safe place for all wiring and computer/phone cabling. The box should be easy to access with a secure cover plate enclosing the wires.

Secured Storage: Secured storage is an important factor to consider when designing a lab station. Adding a private wardrobe/storage cabinet with lock for your researchers will provide a safe space to store their belongings like jackets, lab coats and work boots as well as keep the station and floor area clean while they are away from the workstation. Laptops and other devices can be locked away when the user is not in the station.

Multipurpose Case goods: Built-in or modular furniture that serves the purpose of double purpose of file storage and seating is an excellent solution. 2 drawer lateral files are the answer for keeping files within the station while making the unit more efficient in terms of space. Lap top storage shelves are designed into the cabinet for the user to make sure their devices are kept locked while not being used.

Mobile Furniture: Mobile storage cabinets with wheels and cushion tops are used for filing and guest seating for visitors. Items like mobile TV stands, task lights, computer tables, monitor arms, CPU holders are a good investment and will withstand the ever changing needs of the lab area.

A safe, flexible, high performance lab station should address the above factors and include the products as mentioned.

Small Offices | Commercial Design Control Inc.

As the price of real estate and leasing climbs up, the need to have a small workplace arises. Small offices mean a smaller square footage but you can do many things to make a small office look welcoming and open. Let’s break some traditional rules to create a workspace that represents you.

Big or Small:

We are always told that big items are a NO NO for a small area. This is not necessarily true. You can use one big piece in your office by cutting down on the rest of the big items. Let’s say you like a big cushy chair for your workstation. So in that case use a table that is not the focal point and big so that you can accommodate the cushy chairs that is comfortable to sit all day.

Cheer Up:

When choosing a colour for a small office neutral or whites are the way to go, but don’t be afraid to use a bit of bright color here and there as an accent or in accessories. Or if you want you can always go with a white on the walls with a slight hint of a brighter color like below.

Disappearing Act:

Adding furniture to a small office can be a bit of a challenge. This requires lot of planning and picking the right pieces. Flip and floating desks are a great solution for such areas as well as a small work surface with a mobile under desk with 2 big drawers and a filing drawer. One or two savvy demountable pieces can also do the trick.

  

General Pattern:

We are all afraid to use pattern in a small office but if you use anything in moderation it shouldn’t look busy. You can use a small pattern or a combination of a few patterns as long as they blend together to creates a consistency. If you use the tints and shades of the same colour with a mix of some neutral or lighter colour that should be fine.

Be Bold:

You don’t always have to have a focal point in a room; be bold and break some traditional rules. All you need to make sure in a small office is that every piece kind of blends and harmonizes with the rest of the items of the room and nothing sticks out otherwise it will make the room even smaller. Every piece should be a continuation of the other. In this case a desk with a built in over cabinet with sliding door or a storage cabinet on the side to hide some winter coats would be a good idea.

No matter what you do just remember that you don’t have to sac

Offices with Orange accents | Commercial Design Control Inc.

With fall in the air and the leaves changing color there is one color that comes to my mind and that is Orange. Although, I have to admit that this colour also reminds me of the shiny bright summer days which speaks energy and happiness to me.

Like Red if you use Orange too much it could become overbearing. So it’s wise to use it sparingly as a bold accent colour. Orange brings warmth and positivity in a workspace and is a jazzy colour in my opinion. So trust me if you use Orange in your office you will thank me when the winter rolls in.   

A large accent Orange wall can bring warmth and excitement to a workplace filled with Whites and Neutrals. If your office is well lit and you want to bring some drama to the workplace try pairing Orange and Black.

Offices in Red Commercial Design Control Inc.

If you think of your workplace as a second home like me chances are you would like to give it a personal touch. Most modern offices are turning towards brightening up the atmosphere by illuminating workspaces with a splash of colour. But, there is one key element to remember when you are using bright colors and that is moderation. Usually neutrals, grays, earth tones and whites are the main colors of an office which after a while can get boring. Adding one pure extraordinary colour can bring the whole space to life. There are several ways to achieve this result; the most popular being using a bold colour as an accent paint. You could also add a touch of colour by adding colorful furniture or accessories. Red is the trend: When we talk about bold colors red is the first colour that strikes our imagination. Different shades of reds can have different impact on the mood of a room so be careful when using this tricky colour. Red married with Taupes, Browns and Gold can illuminate a room and bring it to life. The boldness of red and the natural brown blends well together to bring a balance and regality to an executive office. If you don’t feel confident using red as an accent paint then you can always brighten up the space by adding some bold red furniture in red leather or fabric. A hint of orange in the reds can add warmth to the room. Red with a hint of pink or brown can blend well when used in moderation.