How To Create The Perfect Ergonomic Set Up

December 3, 2018

With office workers spending more time at their desk than anywhere else in the workplace it is important that the design and arrangement is suited to the user and the work they perform. By providing the right equipment that is easily adjustable, you reduce the risk of ergonomic-related injury and promote employee health and wellbeing.

Here are a few tips on setting up your workstation correctly:

An office chair should be chosen based on the ability for a user to interact comfortably with their work environment. Sitting with your knees at a 90 degree angle with your feet flat on the floor or supported by footrest, leaving a gap of 2cm between the back of your knees and the chair and raising or lowering the back of the chair so it provides maximum lower back support ensures the best ergonomic seat is created.
Your desk should allow room for all necessary equipment to be used comfortably without the need to continuously bend and twist your body. Many workplaces are integrating height adjustable desks to allow more flexibility in sit/standing positions to promote productivity and assist in a healthy ergonomic environment.
Your keyboard should approximately be at elbow level with your mouse close to maintain a straight, neutral wrist posture. Position both so your arms rest comfortably at your sides or elevating your chair to meet this angle relieves pressure on your wrists and fingers.
Position the keyboard and mouse directly in front of you and the monitor. The top of the screen should be just below eye level and titled to minimise the glare. Adding monitor arms allows for more flexibility in movement to ensure the correct ergonomic position is established.

Krost Presents Gold Medal Award To Sandy & Peter Geyer at The 2018 IDEA Awards

November 26, 2018

We were honoured to present Sandy & Peter Geyer, the founders of Geyer Design with the prestigious Gold Medal Award at the 2018 Interior Design Excellence Awards on Friday.

Over the past 40 years Sandy & Peter have made their mark on the A&D industry. The couple noted that their legacy is helping people to realise that interior design isn't just superficial application but rather a a change in the way companies operate - “Design can and does enhance a persons experience. It's everything, it's how we live and how we should live.”

The gold medal is the most prestigious award at the IDEA Awards, and is given in recognition of those practitioners who have made an influential and enduring contribution to Australian design culture over the course of a career.

Congratulations to Sandy and Peter and all of the IDEA nominees. It was a for pleasure for Krost to be the Gold Medal Sponsor of the event.

The IDEA Awards Countdown is On

November 19, 2018

It’s just a few more days until the highly anticipated Interior Design Excellence Awards 2018.

As the official Gold Medal sponsor we look forward to the awards presentation this Friday where we’ll announce who will take out the prestigious gold medal award!

We 're delighted to support this event and can't wait to find out who will collect the IDEA Gold Medal for 2018.

How to Plan the Perfect Reception Area

November 12, 2018

A reception area is the first thing a client sees when they walk into a business. On their first visit, it is an excellent opportunity to make a positive impression. With a shift in the traditional corporate environment, knowing your brand and message you want to convey to customers is important to determine which style of reception area is suitable for your workspace.

Here are 3 tips on how to design the perfect reception area:

Seating: Depending on the business, picking the right style of waiting chair is important to ensure clients are comfortable. For a more relaxed and welcoming environment, lounges like our Maya paired with a coffee table create a friendly and open atmosphere. For more formal reception areas like medical centers, factors to carefully consider include: quantity, dimensions, chairs for all types of people and materials to suit clients expectations.
Reception Desk: As the main focal point of your reception area, the counter should resonate with the culture and aesthetic of the business. Investing in a creative design with brand-specific artwork assists in shaping a company's identity. Knowing the practicality of your counter is important in determining what equipment you need to allow for. If using computers, it may need to be obscured with a raised counter, like our Central which has the option of full or partial sides for more privacy.
A Welcoming Atmosphere: A reception areas furniture is extremely important, but the guests experience should be seamless in every aspect. Small touches of comfort to incorporate into your waiting area include: offering coffee or refreshments, reading materials to keep clients entertained, granting wifi access or a mounted television if suitable. Small gestures like the above make clients feel welcome and important.

Carefully planning your reception area ensures clients indulge in the ultimate front of house experience. By making sure it is comfortable, spacious, welcoming and aligned to your brand, it will turn a one time visitor into a regular.

Even More AFRDI Certified Products Now Available

November 5, 2018

We’re thrilled to share that even more of your favourite products now hold blue and green Australian Furniture Research & Development Institute (AFRDI) certifications.

AFRDI is an organisation that provides standards, testing, product certifications and research for buyers and sellers of furniture based in Australian and New Zealand.

The highly regarded AFRDI tick guarantees that a product meets the criterias of strength, durability, stability, function, flammability, reasonable finish and workmanship.

Here is our full list of our AFRDI Approved products:

Benc hwork Workstations

We pride ourselves on offering only the highest quality products and ensure that all of our products are suitable for commercial use and feature either 3, 5 or 10 years warranty.

Riverwood Library’s Colourful Space Revealed

October 30, 2018

Using an eclectic palette of colours and range of materials, Riverwood Library’s new space features layers of visual interest at every turn.

Throughout the libraries open layout, parts of the original structure are interjected with new furniture, lighting and mosaic glass panelling creating a fun, contemporary environment.

Cascading along the natural light filled windows, our Gogo and Sofi Ottomans paired with Halo Coffee Tables welcome you as you enter the library.

Using our Cooper, Cali and Clip S chairs, a theme of red and blue is incorporated into every room, transitioning from one space to the next effortlessly.

In the middle of the library, our Keywork Spine desk and Space chairs are used for visitors seeking help and looking for more information. Using a combination of Natural Oak and White finishes, a bold contrast is made with the geometric carpet design.

Our Keywork Tables paired with red Clip S chairs create an energetic burst of collaborative and training areas. Moving upstairs, the Clip S’ are combined with Flip tables for more intimate meeting rooms. The colour scheme is continued with the Keywork workstations and Trak Screen system, for a cohesive look and feel.

Designed by CK Design, Riverwood Library features eye-catching details and bold colours throughout for visual impact. Bringing in new and innovative ideas to the traditional space a modern aesthetic was achieved.

15 Fundamental Office Etiquette Tips

October 25, 2018

Office etiquette and professionalism in the workplace are crucial to every company’s success. Here are some essential tips to ensure your workplace remains a productive and pleasurable one:

Keep noise and distractions to a minimum - Loud voices and noises easily distract other people in the office, so unless everyone needs to know what you are talking about you should try to reduce your noise output.
Be punctual - Be on time to your meetings and if you are going to be late ensure you let people know in advance.
Be aware of odours - Eat lunch in the lunchroom/ avoid eating smelly food at your desk.
Clean up after yourself - keep your desk tidy and ensure that others don’t have to clean up after you, throw your rubbish away, clean your dishes and don’t let food go off in the fridge.
Keep personal phones on silent - and avoid distractions by responding to non urgent personal texts and calls on your lunch break.
Respond to emails - Acknowledge colleagues emails in a timely manner, good communication is key to a thriving workplace.
Think before hitting reply all - Consider whether everyone in the thread needs to see your response before sending your emails.
Use headphones sparingly - Be apart of the team rather than shutting them out, not responding to colleagues because you can’t hear them can be frustrating to others.
Don’t block the elevator door - If the elevator is full and others are trying to get out, step out and let them out, then step back in.
Be positive - If you are disengaged don’t bring others down with you, refrain from speaking negatively about your work to others.
Don’t use speaker phone - Don’t play your voicemails or have conversations on loudspeaker for the entire office to hear.
Give your undivided attention in meetings - Avoid being distracted by your phone or engaging in conversations with others whilst the main speaker is talking.
Share the credit - If you worked on a project with another team member ensure that they are also recognised for their efforts.
Present yourself appropriately - Dress for success! Ensure that your attire and personal grooming are appropriate for your workspace.
Knock first - Don't barge into an office without first knocking ór asking if you can enter.

3 Ways to Quieten The Workplace

October 17, 2018

The modern office has an enthusiasm for open workplaces. They are great at fostering collaboration and communication. However, the need for quiet spaces in an office design has increased to cater to all employee needs and wellbeing.

Here are 3 tips on how to create quiet spaces in your office:

Unassigned or Enclosed rooms:
Designing an office with designated quiet spaces allows employees to make phone calls, hold meetings and escape office chatter without distraction. Quiet rooms should be open and uncluttered with minimal furniture to enhance focus and productivity. Integrating glass doors also creates privacy while maintaining visibility.
Furniture To Define Spaces:
If structural changes are not an option, using furniture to mimic the feel a of a private office can have the same benefits. Products like high back and side lounges such as the Benj or Hush paired with a small table creates an ancillary area as an alternative to an employee's primary workspace.
Walls or Dividers
Creating boundaries using walls or dividers within the open office defines private and focused individual spaces. Freestanding screens such as the Scape or Local screen allow employees to adjust their work setting to suit their needs without disrupting the overall design of the office. Walls and privacy screens maximise the potential of a space, absorb the cacophony and create a quiet havens

5 Must Have Accessories For Your Workspace

October 8, 2018

We’ve handpicked 5 accessories that we’re sure will improve your work day.

1. Cushi - Our recently released foot pillow, completes your ergonomic setup. Made of high-density foam with an anti-slip fabric underside, Cushi is an attractive take on the traditional footrest and has an abundance of health benefits.

2. Coat and Hat Stands - Our Enzo and Lunar stands are simple and practical additions that will ensure your office is kept tidy.

3. Amp Light - Our Amp ligh t sets the benchmark for desktop LED lighting with its advanced technology wireless and remarkably modern slimline aesthetic. The compact offering is supremely versatile with the ability to be adjusted to any angle and neatly folded up when not in use. Amp also doubles up as a mobile charger with its wireless phone charging capabilities, you can simply place your phone on it to charge without the need for charging cables.

4. Logic - With good looks, extreme flexibility and ergonomic benefits Logic monitor arms deserve a position at every desk. Catering for up to 6 monitors, a laptop stand and/or tablet holder, Logic is designed to meet any requirements. With simple to install and adjust click-in componentry you can adapt your setup in minutes.

5. Enzo Trolley - Boasting a chic contemporary aesthetic, Enzo trolleys are modern and extremely versatile. Used as a side table or for under desk storage, Enzo can be rolled out, facilitating access to your documents or belongings without straining your back and can be easily stored away thanks to lockable castors.

SHOP THESE PRODUCTS ON OUR STORE

Porto - A Refined Charm

October 1, 2018

Minimalism and sophistication upholstered in premium microfiber fabric defines the Porto chair, a new addition to our seating collection.

Useful in both classic and contemporary spaces, Porto’s continuous shell ensures comfort through its comfortable, but durable, high density padding.

Porto creates a versatile collection of functional pieces with a unique diamond stitching detail, complimented with splayed or round black steel legs. Available in coffee or charcoal upholstery, Porto is suited to any office environment.

Shop the range on our store today…

Find The Perfect Balance

September 26, 2018

With an increased emphasis on health and wellbeing in the workplace, the demand for products that promote active sitting is rising. Products like our Balance ottomans and stools improve circulation, increase core strength and keep muscles engaged throughout the day.

Simple in form and void of any extraneous details, balance is suitable for a wide range of applications. The streamline form, taking cues from the classic yoga ball has many health benefits as mentioned above.

Available in an o t toman or stool, Balance combines motion and comfort through its self-balancing base and upholstered seat. Its rubberised base also provides a secure grip on various floor surfaces ensuring it returns to its upright position.

Shop the Balance Ottoman and Stool on our store...