Spike in purchases of home office furniture as work from home trend grows
Working from home has been a bubbling trend for a number of years, but the Covid-19 pandemic and various levels of lockdown throughout the world has seen millions of employees shifting to this mode of work.
South Africa is no different, and some companies are considering this might become a longer-term phenomenon rather than a temporary one.
But has this led to an increase in people kitting out their home offices with dedicated work furniture?
But spending hours in front of that computer or laptop, means you need a comfortable office chair at home right?
Refilwe Moloto speaks to Richard Debonnaire of Cecil Nurse Office Furniture, who confirms that they have been selling a lot more furniture geared towards the home office.
He confirms there has been a notable rise in orders for home office furniture.
We are seeing a real trend towards people wanting ergonomic office furniture for their home environment.
Richard Debonnaire, Regional Manager - Cecil Nurse Office Furniture
As individuals may be ordering single items rather than large corporate orders, Debonnaire says it does shift the interaction with customers.
It needs a more personalised service for the individual, rather than for corporates or for companies.
Richard Debonnaire, Regional Manager - Cecil Nurse Office Furniture
He says Cecil Nurse Office Furniture has nine branches nationwide and offers a range of office furniture.
A chair or desk needs to be personalised for the home market. It's got to be comfortable, it's got to look good and it has also got to be functional.
Richard Debonnaire, Regional Manager - Cecil Nurse Office Furniture
He says global trends towards working from home have been growing for some time and in a number of countries, it is part of working life.
In South Africa, we have not experienced this as much, but Covid has brought this to us.
Richard Debonnaire, Regional Manager - Cecil Nurse Office Furniture
The company believes the future will bring a mix of the two - a restructuring and resizing within existing office space, as well as an additional work from home environment.
A balance of working from home and working in an office is where we see things going.
Richard Debonnaire, Regional Manager - Cecil Nurse Office Furniture
Debonnaire says the ergonomic chair is the most missed item of furniture in the home when it comes to working.
People can't sit comfortably at a kitchen counter or int their bd and work for hours. It has an impact on their health and wellbeing.
Richard Debonnaire, Regional Manager - Cecil Nurse Office Furniture
Listen to the interview below:

Source : https://www.123rf.com/stock-photo/home_office.html
More from Local

Home exercising and online shopping trends a boon for fitness-related businesses
Sales of fitness products are soaring as the pandemic focuses attention on health improvement and home exercise.
Read More
Small honey producer takes on Food Lover's Market in trademark battle
'Nature's Gold' was trademarked by the KZN startup. FLM should have checked properly, admits its legal director on The Money Show.
Read More
More Home Affairs services open under Level 1: Here's a look at what has resumed
Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has announced that more Home Affairs services will resume from Thursday, under South Africa’s level 1 lockdown.
Read More
Govt 'admits' private sector could buy vaccines, but it's not that simple
Currently, vaccine manufacturers won't sell to businesses responds Profmed CEO Craig Comrie after Afriforum legal challenge.
Read More
Hospitality industry blocks new labour rules for restaurants - for now
The hospitality sector has been granted an urgent interdict to halt the implementation of new labour rules amid an ongoing collective agreement fight.
Read More
[WATCH] Video shows late Maya Angelou honouring 'beautiful' Xhosa language
In the footage, the poet and writer can be heard pronouncing the distinctive 'clicks' and calling isiXhosa a 'wonderful language'.
Read More
Impersonator fraud rose by 337% in 2020 - here's how to protect your identity
Impersonation fraud has increased by a massive 337%. Consumers have been warned to protect their personal information.
Read More
R583M Saldanha Bay cocaine drug bust was likely a decoy for other crime - expert
Crime and policing expert Eldred de Klerk says the bust was probably used as a decoy for other organised crime activities.
Read More
Bellville set to become second Cape Town CBD
UCT African Centre For Cities' Edgar Pieterse says reimagining Bellville is not something in the future. It is already happening.
Read More
[PHOTOS] Lucky Tableview cat rescued after accidentally being plastered in wall
Tableview residents Sunell and Gerrit Moss spent more than two days searching for their missing cat Gina who had just disappeared.
Read MoreMore from Business

Home exercising and online shopping trends a boon for fitness-related businesses
Sales of fitness products are soaring as the pandemic focuses attention on health improvement and home exercise.
Read More
Small honey producer takes on Food Lover's Market in trademark battle
'Nature's Gold' was trademarked by the KZN startup. FLM should have checked properly, admits its legal director on The Money Show.
Read More
Non-Fungible Tokens - stupid and brilliant at the same time
Get yours before the bubble pops
Read More
Govt 'admits' private sector could buy vaccines, but it's not that simple
Currently, vaccine manufacturers won't sell to businesses responds Profmed CEO Craig Comrie after Afriforum legal challenge.
Read More
Hospitality industry blocks new labour rules for restaurants - for now
The hospitality sector has been granted an urgent interdict to halt the implementation of new labour rules amid an ongoing collective agreement fight.
Read More
Bellville set to become second Cape Town CBD
UCT African Centre For Cities' Edgar Pieterse says reimagining Bellville is not something in the future. It is already happening.
Read More
Doom ad not racist says ARB. But why pair Doom and food in the first place?
After a complaint, Tiger Brands has added 'don't spray on food' to campaign showing man's meal interrupted by a flying insect.
Read More
Tough times for Spur, but new SA outlets in the pipeline
Spur's profits plummeted in the wake of lockdowns, but the loyalty of customers is 'quite amazing' says Group CEO Val Nichas.
Read More
Cashbuild doubles its profit as lockdowns boost desire for home improvement
Not all businesses suffered losses because of the pandemic. Bruce Whitfield interviews Cashbuild CEO Werner de Jager.
Read More
Molefe evasive, but maintains Ramaphosa integral to state capture at Eskom
Zondo Commission: Former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe repeated allegations about the capture of Eskom by Glencore and Ramaphosa.
Read MoreMore from Lifestyle

Home exercising and online shopping trends a boon for fitness-related businesses
Sales of fitness products are soaring as the pandemic focuses attention on health improvement and home exercise.
Read More
[PHOTOS] Lucky Tableview cat rescued after accidentally being plastered in wall
Tableview residents Sunell and Gerrit Moss spent more than two days searching for their missing cat Gina who had just disappeared.
Read More
Cashbuild doubles its profit as lockdowns boost desire for home improvement
Not all businesses suffered losses because of the pandemic. Bruce Whitfield interviews Cashbuild CEO Werner de Jager.
Read More
7 ways to donate your unused stationery and 'pay it forward' says Pippa Hudson
Here are some great ways you can repurpose unused stationery for pupils in need.
Read More
Adventurer Zirk Botha completes solo row from Cape Town to Rio in record time
Extreme adventurer Zirk Botha completed his solo transatlantic ocean crossing from Cape Town to Brazil in a record 70 days.
Read More
[WATCH] School band beats Covid fears with rehearsals in pop-up tents
Members of a US high school marching band aren't letting Covid-19 stop the music. They're social distancing in individual 'pods'.
Read More
Accents in the workplace: 'A lot of South Africans face bias every single day'
'An accent doesn't define your professionalism'. Sara-Jayne King explores accent privilege with media guests and listeners.
Read More
Outdoor furniture made from recycled plastic raises awareness of ocean pollution
The founders of Ocean-i are making waves in Cape Town. See their pop-up product launch at the V&A Waterfront on Sunday.
Read More
[WATCH] Moonstruck 2021 - CapeTalk's iconic music festival
CapeTalk's iconic summer music festival is back - and for the first time in its history, it's online.
Read More
Green Point Urban Park: All gates open, no numbers restrictions in overall park
Cllrs Jowell and McMahon confirm this, but no social gatherings or picnics allowed and limited numbers near smaller feature areas.
Read More