Scandinavian style in the office – choosing chairs that combine design with ergonomics

Colours in the Scandinavian style are essential for the visual design of the space. Natural colours dominate, with white, grey and black at the forefront. White forms the basis of the design, blending well with light-coloured floors, ceilings and window frames. The light palette not only attracts attention but, above all, has a positive effect on the decor, visually enlarging the interior. This effect makes even small office spaces seem much more spacious.

The choice of materials in this style is closely linked to nature. The main raw material is wood, both solid and veneered, often combined with metal. Wood is used not only in furniture but also in seating, bringing warmth and a natural look to the interior. There are collections of solid wood furniture available on the market, such as oak chairs, which fit perfectly into this aesthetic.

A characteristic feature of Scandinavian style, transferred from regions with limited sunlight, is the requirement for bright and well-lit interiors. In an office, where comfort and work efficiency depend on visual conditions, adequate lighting of the desk and the entire room is crucial. Being in a well-lit environment reduces eye strain and helps maintain concentration.

When choosing seating, the synergy between aesthetics and the function of light should be appreciated. Light colours and simple furniture forms reflect light, maximising its diffusion and enhancing the impression of spaciousness. According to Holistic Ergonomics analysis, light is not just a decorative element, but a dynamic force that affects perception, mood, energy levels and overall health. Therefore, seats in light colours actively support the lighting environment of the office.

Aesthetic characteristics of Scandinavian-style office seats

Authentic Scandinavian design, especially in its Swedish form (e.g. Kinnarps), is based on the concept of Holistic Ergonomics. This is a state in which all elements of the working environment – from chairs, through acoustics and lighting, to the social and organisational atmosphere – come together to form a coherent whole. Unlike traditional ergonomics, which focuses on individual products, the holistic model assumes that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The goal is to create a space where employees feel welcome, safe, inspired, motivated and healthy. Success in a Scandinavian office depends on the integration of these diverse factors. An office chair, although physically just one element, must be designed to fit into a broader ecosystem that supports movement, concentration and well-being.

In a modern office, especially in flexible models (hot-desking), office chairs must be versatile and easy to use. Seats must be easy and intuitive to adjust, as one chair may be used by several employees. Reputable manufacturers design their chairs so that their dimensions and adjustability meet the needs of 99% of users.

Chairs must offer smart technology that allows them to be adjusted to suit the desk and individual requirements. Features such as adjustable armrests and headrests are essential accessories that further improve ergonomics and allow for a comfortable, variable sitting position.

In Scandinavian interior design, accessories are not random: they are meant to add warmth to a room, but above all, they serve an infrastructural purpose. Minimalist interiors, dominated by hard, light-coloured and light-reflecting surfaces (walls, wood), have a natural tendency to generate reverberation. The use of large upholstered surfaces and textiles is essential to maintain low noise levels. Soft carpets made of natural fibres not only break up the austerity of the aesthetics, but also have a practical significance: they improve acoustics and eliminate echoes. The introduction of these elements is a prerequisite for meeting the requirement of holistic ergonomics, which consists in minimising auditory disturbances.

In line with the philosophy of combining the office with nature (biophilic design, an element of holistic ergonomics), potted plants are essential, preferably in simple pots. Plants improve the microclimate and have a positive effect on concentration and well-being. The whole is complemented by textiles (blankets, linen or wool cushions), which give the interior a soft feel while maintaining its consistent character.

The Martindale test is an internationally standardised method for assessing the abrasion resistance of fabrics, regulated by ISO 12947. The test simulates the natural wear process by rubbing the fabric with combed wool in a figure-eight pattern. The result, given in cycles, indicates the number of rubs before significant signs of damage to the fabric appear.

It is necessary to comply with specific durability thresholds depending on the intended use of the seat:

• for relaxation areas, waiting rooms and moderate use: a fabric guaranteeing a minimum of 40,000 cycles is required;
• for intensive task seating (swivel chairs): due to extreme and continuous stress, the required level of durability is much higher and should be well over 100,000 cycles.

The degree of hardness of upholstery foam has a direct and critical impact on the required durability of upholstery fabric. Harder foam, which is often necessary in ergonomic task chairs for optimal posture support, offers greater resistance and generates stronger tension and friction on the fabric during use.

This phenomenon leads to a key conclusion: since an ergonomic task chair, in line with the principles of active sitting, must use hard foams to maintain correct posture, the fabric must exhibit maximum abrasion resistance (>100,000 cycles). Failure to meet this technical requirement results in premature wear of the upholstery, which ultimately changes the feel of the seat and compromises the long-term effectiveness of the chair's ergonomic function. High fabric durability is therefore not only a matter of aesthetics, but a key requirement for maintaining health-supporting functionality.

Upholstery fabric durability standards (Martindale test, ISO 12947)

The final choice of seating for a Scandinavian-style office should be based on a holistic assessment of functionality, technical aspects and aesthetics. Investing in Scandinavian design is a long-term investment in well-being and productivity.

Holistic checklist for choosing chairs

It is recommended to focus on suppliers who combine historical experience in Scandinavian design with ergonomic innovations:

• technological leaders (Sweden): companies such as Kinnarps set the standard for Swedish design and Holistic Ergonomics. Their products, characterised by durability and innovative mechanisms (e.g. Capella X), are the optimal choice for task stations;
• Polish design: Polish manufacturers, including Profim (ergonomic chairs and soft seating, e.g. the Snap collection) and suppliers of Scandinavian-style furniture made of solid wood (e.g. LOBI, HOYA), offer high-quality workmanship while embracing the aesthetics of minimalism and functionality;
• certificate verification: in addition to durability standards (ISO 12947), it is essential to ensure that the selected products have the fire resistance certificates required in commercial facilities and environmental declarations that confirm the sustainable life cycle of the product, which is in line with Scandinavian ethics.

Scandinavian-style office chairs represent the Lagom philosophy, which strives for optimal balance and longevity. Choosing an office chair in this aesthetic is a successful investment, provided that aesthetic simplicity is not confused with functional simplicity.

Choosing seating for a Scandinavian office requires a rigorous technical approach. This means selecting task chairs with the highest durability parameters (over 100,000 Martindale cycles) and advanced mechanisms that support movement and health (Holistic Ergonomics). At the same time, soft seating areas must act as acoustic and environmental compensators, warming up the interior and minimising distracting auditory and visual factors. Conscious adherence to these principles guarantees the creation of a working environment that is effective, aesthetically consistent and maximally conducive to long-term concentration.