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In many homes space is at a premium and even larger houses
- especially modern ones - don't always take into account how people actually
live.
Sometimes just rearranging furniture or introducing systems
can radically change the way you live and make life a lot easier
Now we are cooking
The kitchen is probably the part of the home in which
small changes bring the biggest rewards. Also, kitchens are often designed
to look good rather than function well. Kitchen fashions can be ergonomic
nightmares!
Great if you can afford a new kitchen. You can plan it
around your needs. But is there anything you can do if you are stuck with
what you have got? Either way we hope you find some useful ideas in these
introductory tips:
- Unless you really need the exercise, keep "the work triangle"
- the distance between the principal work centres (cooker, sink and
fridge) - as compact as possible, with the main work surfaces between
- Store
things next to where they will be used (eg cereal bowls with cereal
boxes?)
- Store
the most used items where you don't need to bend or stretch (eg a fridge-freezer
should have the fridge at the top)
- Labour-saving gadgets often cause more work in cleaning and putting
away. If you have the space keep them in a counter-level cupboard (with
power sockets) - then you only need to pull them forward to use
- Give
work areas good illumination from appropriate spotlights or task lamps
- Double
the number of power sockets you originally thought of (and position
them a little higher so they don't get hidden behind the toaster?)
- If
doors open the wrong way, rehang them
- The oven should be at chest height
- Tiered shelves and carousels make it easier to find things in cupboards
Around the home
- Install
lights in deep, dark cupboards and use roll out storage trolleys
- Rehang doors so you get the widest possible view of the room as you
enter
- Have a system for managing incoming post so it doesn't end up behind
the clock!
- Cupboards in the hall for bags can stop it looking like a jumble sale
- Logical filing and storage systems are just as important for your
home office as at work
- Duvets make bedmaking and laundry easier
- Why do you always need to bend over to use power sockets? Reposition
them higher
Efficiency in the office and workplace
- Ergonomics and usability should be the priority when choosing furniture
and equipment
- Agree rules for e-mail so it supports the business needs and doesn't
distract or cause stress to workers
- Give personal printers to people who need to print a lot - or at least
position network printers near them to save time and energy
- Where possible standardise on equipment, systems and procedures
- Give good, regular training to everyone - not just when things are
introduced
- Make sure everyone can control the lighting on their desk - desk lamps
shouldn't be manager status symbols
- Everyone should have access to personal storage and coat hangers at
or near to their work space if possible
- Have a rule that meeting rooms are cleared and whiteboards cleaned
immediately a meeting finishes - whoever has used it!
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