6.17.14 | Holly Springs, NC | OFM, a leading office and school furniture manufacturer, distributor, and wholesaler, says that “soft seating” is gaining popularity in a variety of commercial and educational settings nationwide. Defined in the industry as fully upholstered chairs and sofas with little exposed metal or plastic, soft seating feels like furniture you would find in a home or other personal setting.

“We’re seeing a demand for soft seating in larger offices, libraries, break rooms, lounges and reception areas,” said Blake Zalcberg, president and CEO of OFM. “Companies are looking to make these areas more comfortable, casual, and modern as they move away from conventional wood furniture, which can seem stuffier by comparison.”

Soft seating is typically fully upholstered in either a cleanable fabric or medical-grade vinyl that allows them to be easily cleaned. They can also be made in a wide variety of colors and feature modern touches such as fixed table arms or built-in electrical and USB outlets to allow people to charge their devices while sitting. OFM says it is seeing soft seating offered among higher-end manufacturers, but that could change in the coming years as it continues to gain in popularity.

OFM introduced three new soft seating series during this year’s annual NeoCon, the largest design exposition and conference for commercial interiors, which took place earlier this month. Some of the series will include tables and electrification features, some will be modular, and some will have casters. These new series will be in addition to the Recoil Lounge Chair and InterPlay Soft Seating Series OFM currently offers. All the new series will be in stock by the end of the year.

“Companies on a whole are looking to design space that’s more collaborative, adaptive, and creative,” added Zalcberg. “Using soft seating is a way to encourage people to work and interact in a kind of free-flowing and casual environment that encourages those qualities.”

About OFM

Founded in 1995, OFM is a leading office and school furniture manufacturer, distributor, and wholesaler with headquarters in Holly Springs, N.C. and operations in Phoenix, Ariz., and Taiwan. OFM contracts with manufacturers in Mexico, Taiwan and China to design furniture and products that meet the highest industry standards. It specializes in providing affordable, quality furniture through a dealer network to businesses, government offices, health care and educational facilities. OFM products are sold through a variety of retailers, mail-order catalogs and online dealers including Office Depot, Wayfair, Overstock, and National Business Furniture.

To learn more about OFM, visit: http://www.ofminc.com.