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Our changing lifestyles are increasingly reflecting in the choice of furniture. Wellbeing is a key prerequisite today. Bindu Gopal Rao talks to the experts on home ergonomics and its myriad benefits
Home ergonomics is a system of having home components that have been designed keeping in mind the comfort of the human body. Not only will an ergonomic home prove comfortable for a user, it will also make functional utilities easier and help prevent injuries. In simpler terms, the science of ergonomics is all about how to set up a space in a way that it reduces stress on the person while at home.
Traditionally, ergonomics was applied to office spaces, but it is slowly making its way into Indian homes today. This field encapsulates scientific principles of physiology, biomechanics, psychology, anthropometry, industrial hygiene and kinesiology.
In vogue
According to Roopesh Gupta, CEO, P3 Architectural Solutions, “designing equipments that are extremely easy to use, causes least damage to the homeowner. And organising the plan of the house in a way that the body’s posture is improved and the load on the body are reduced are highly important factors.”
“Product and furniture designers are spending a lot of time on ergonomics to increase human comfort and prevent health issues, which are often caused by poorly designed furniture,” agrees Suman Kanodia, co-founder, Scarlet Splendour.
With the home-office sector growing, the need is to look at furniture that we can use to work on. “And it also needs to blend well with our home decor. Flexible furniture designs would help here,” avers Umesh Rao, founder & CEO, Vector Projects (I) Pvt Ltd.
For others like Vikram Viswanath, lead, design research, Urban Ladder, versatility with perfect functionality has emerged as a key prerequisite in most homes. “Today, furniture is very thoughtfully designed, keeping form and functionality in mind. Furniture brands and designers are continuing to pay close attention to the impact furniture has on your body,” he states.
Ergonomics at home could often mean incorporating common sense solutions to everyday issues. For instance, adjusting the computer screen height to the user’s eye level, with the help of an adjustable chair. “Avoid working on the sofa, dining table and bed. It can cause faulty posture, which causes neck, shoulder and back pain,” informs Dr Sunny Kichloo, PT, head — physiotherapy & rehabilitation, Nightingales Home Healthcare.
All is well
It’s a good idea to start small. Factors like the height of the ceiling and stairs have to be considered, as they ought to be designed in such a way that they work well for all the members of the family. Some of the activities like sitting, watching television, cooking, sleeping, working on a computer or studying can be made more relaxed and stress free with the use of ergonomically-designed spaces and furniture.
“An ergonomically-designed chair will take the pressure off your back and hips and keep the knees comfortable. The use of the right mattress and pillow will ensure a good sleep posture; the back and neck will remain strain free. The placement of the television at the right height will not strain your neck while watching television,” explains Namita Agarwal, head — interior design, Mebelkart.com.
Similarly, having the right height for the countertop in the kitchen and tabletops for dining or studying is crucial for the user’s comfort when working for extended hours, she adds.
When you are sitting, you place an enormous pressure on your back. “Ergonomically-friendly sofas, recliners and lounges can take the pressure off your back. It is important for the sofa not to be too low, causing your knees to bend less than 90
degrees,” opines Harsh Jain, CEO & founder, Nestopia.
Keeping in mind the current trend of ergonomics, you can find beds that adjust bedding firmness, comfort and support at any time to help you get that deep, restful sleep you deserve. “Powered recliners are another trend we are seeing, especially recliners that have two reclining options — straight back and the reclining back. Powered recliners, targeted towards the older generations will use a good blend of functionality and ergonomics and will actually help people get out of their chairs at the touch of a button,” maintains Vikram.
Likewise, a well-planned kitchen can make a huge difference in the user’s overall sense of wellbeing. As a rule, working counters should be at a minimum height of 32 inches. If you are shorter or taller than the average adult, don’t hesitate to adapt the counter height
accordingly, concur experts.
Store frequently used accessories in the top drawers, just beneath the counter or on the bottom shelf of the cupboards, above the counter. “A good kitchen work triangle will have the three most used worksites, that is, the refrigerator, sink, and the stove or oven placed at the most efficient distance from one another, which will minimise traffic through the work zone. If these worksites are placed far away from each other, you will waste a lot of energy moving around. The height of the kitchen table has to be such that it does not cause discomfort to the user,” explains Roopesh.
“For the dining area, rectangular tables are the most popular. Consider the length of table that your room can comfortably take in. These days, the average dining table measures 29 to 32 inches from the floor to the top of the table. The most comfortable seat height for a dining chair is when there is 10 to 12 inches between the top of the seat and the top of the dining table. Also, as one spends one-third of the year in a bed, it becomes an important area to look at, ergonomics wise. A bedroom should also be free of clutter as it aids in better sleep,” adds Harsh.
Ergonomics in the bathroom should be considered keeping in mind the relevance of functional efficiency. For instance, wash basins’ standard height should be between 32 to 36 inches to ensure that water doesn’t splash beyond the basin.
But don’t believe that ergonomics is all about defined shapes and boring spaces. A balanced ergonomic design will be good in comfort, increase productivity and also be beautiful. Aesthetics and ergonomics have a fine balance, which is usually acquired by knowledge of the subject and experience in the field.
It is as important as the utility and look that are being projected by the interiors.
“In other words, ergonomics contribute to the seamless flow of functioning at the house. It is quite similar to the standards of the dimensions. For instance, when dimensions of the furniture are taken into consideration, the wardrobe has to be around two feet to accommodate hangers, whereas the height of the counters in kitchen should be 2.75 feet, so as to ease the accessibility,” says Varalaxmi, content expert, Bonito Designs.
A good design always incorporates ergonomics plus aesthetics. Follow the “less is more” principle and declutter the space, says Nabendu Acharjee, general manager, Royal Tulip. “Today’s health- and wellness-conscious generation is cautious about what they choose and how it impacts their lives. With changing requirements, the manufacturers have also evolved with innovative products, which are not only a visual delight but also follow the principles of ergonomics.”
It’s time to make your home ergonomically friendly. Also, with the home cleaner and needing much lesser maintenance, there will be more time on your hands.