Whether you’re furnishing an office or a school classroom, it is always essential to consider ergonomics. Ergonomics refers to designing furniture pieces to fit the use, so they are comfortably seated and able to perform their tasks efficiently.

Investing in chairs with a waterfall seat design is one way to prioritise ergonomics. Read on to learn about what it is and how it is beneficial.

What is a waterfall seat design?

The standard chair is designed with a square-shaped or bucket seat edge. These designs can put pressure on your thighs, blocking the blood circulation in your legs, and are thus unsuitable for prolonged sittings during work and school hours.

On the other hand, a waterfall seat design means that the chair has a gentle downward slope at the front edge of the seat, resembling a cascading flow of water.

Benefits

Chairs with waterfall seat designs have risen in popularity in recent years, with an increasing number of workplaces prioritising ergonomics to improve job satisfaction and productivity. Some benefits of these chairs include:

1. Improved blood circulation

When sitting in a chair with a flat seat, you put pressure on the back of your thighs, compressing the blood vessels and reducing blood flow to the legs. Poor blood circulation can lead to blood clots, discomfort, swelling, and health problems like varicose veins.

Furthermore, because your body cannot receive sufficient nutrients and oxygen from your blood, you may experience lower energy levels and fatigue.

The sloping edge of waterfall seat designs reduces pressure on your thighs, improving blood circulation and increasing energy levels. Therefore, waterfall seat designs effectively improve the office’s or class’ productivity.

2. Reduced pressure

Prolonged sitting causes pressure points on your body, resulting in discomfort or pain.

A waterfall seat design eliminates this problem by providing a more even weight distribution across thighs and legs, reducing the pressure on the back of the thighs. This helps to reduce the risk of pressure sores and other health problems.

3. Increased comfort

The standard chair’s flat or hard seat edge often causes the pelvis to tilt forward, thus unnaturally curving the spine. Hence, it is recommended that you opt for a waterfall seat design, which encourages a more natural spine alignment, reducing the strain on the lower back.

Moreover, the ergonomic design provides greater support for the posterior part of the thighs, allowing your legs to hang more naturally and relieving them of discomfort.

Individuals spend a significant portion of their lives in their chairs; whether in school or at work, you typically stay at your desk for hours at a time. Therefore, it makes sense to choose furniture that provides the most comfort.

4. Improved posture

Individuals tend to slide forward when sitting in a chair with a flat seat, thus making it challenging to maintain a proper posture. As a result, you are more likely to experience body aches and strains and harm your spinal health.

The sloping edge of a waterfall seat design prevents you from sliding down and is thus effective in maintaining the natural curve of your spine, improving posture and reducing back and neck strains.

Conclusion

Choosing the right furniture is crucial when furnishing an office or a classroom. One feature to note is seat design; waterfall seat designs are ergonomic and help improve physical health and well-being. This encourages you to feel more motivated and perform more productively throughout the day.

If you’re looking for a chair with a waterfall seat design, check out our selection of training chairs. Eng Hin Construction also offers various custom furniture pieces, including canteen tables and chairs and science lab chairs. If you’re interested, contact us or visit us at our furniture warehouse in Toa Payoh.