Sunday, November 29, 2009

Herman Miller Aeron Chairs - First In Design And Functionality

By Duncan Danutts

I will never forget when the first office I worked in that had Herman Miller Aeron chairs. When I first saw it behind the desk, it was not familiar to me. Not having much of an interest in the design of furniture, it did not initially strike me. But that was before I sat down.

I have still yet to sit in another office chair as comfortable as that one. And it continues to be comfortable after hours of sitting in it. You feel just as good getting up from your desk as you did when you first sat down. For people with back problems, they may even feel better after sitting in one of these chairs for a while.

Introduced in'94, this chair has been satisfying users for more than fifteen years. It is still one of the most popular high-end office chairs. It even has a place in the permanent collection at the Museum of Modern Art for its aesthetic and functional design.

The chair comes in three different sizes, so that you can find one that works well for your body. This is especially important for those who are broader, shorter or taller than the average person. Some critiques say that the wrong size chair can be not just uncomfortable but painful. However, I have never found that to be the case in the ones that I have used. There are also a variety of adjustments that can be made including seat height, seat pan angle, tilt tension, lumbar depth, lumbar height, armrest angle and armrest height. With all of these possibilities, you will be able to find the right combination for the comfort of your body.

I no longer need to sit in front of a computer for hours. But as an acupuncturist and massage therapist, I make referrals for this chair all the time. When clients or patients come to be with back problems, it is this chair in particular that I always recommend.

Another factor that gets high marks is the mesh seat, which keeps you cool while it is supporting your body. Unlike cushions, this does not get lumpy or wear unevenly. Speaking of the material, the Aeron chair is 94% recyclable. But with its continued comfort as well as the twelve year warranty it comes with, it is likely to be a long time before you will need to worry about that.

For me, function will always outweigh design when picking out office furniture. But the fact that it really is a beautiful design does not hurt one bit. While there are those who say the design is no longer fresh, for me it is one that remains classic and timeless.

This chair is not cheap. And normally, I am not one to spend this kind of money on furniture. But this is the first and only piece that I am happy to spend the money on, because I know that the benefits I receive are worth it. Keeping my back in good shape and out of surgery is worth twice the price.

About the Author:

No comments: