Breaking news: office chairs don’t have to be boring or ugly. When picking out a chair that you’ll spend a large amount of your time in, it must tick all the boxes when it comes to comfort, looks and quality. However, this can be daunting thanks to the endless amount of options available. We’ve compiled this office chairs buying guide to help you narrow down the search and elevate your office space.
If you want to skip straight to our selection of office chairs though, you can do so here.
Intended use
The intended purpose of your office chair is the biggest factor when it comes to your purchasing decision. Intended use mainly revolves around the length of time you’ll be using it for, for example:
- Occasional use: 1-3 hours per day. Using your chair for things such as internet browsing, completing homework or assignments and other general admin.
- Heavy use: Up to 8 hours per day. Using your chair in an office or business environment or as a fundamental part of your WFH set-up.
With occasional use, you can base most of your decision on the look of the chair and how it fits with your home decor, without worrying so much about how hardwearing it is. Great examples of these include our Cesca, Wilson and Kenny. However, if you require a chair for heavy use in a home office or business environment where you’re sitting in it for several hours at a time, you’ll need something more hardwearing and ergonomic, to ensure that it is supporting you as it should be, and so that you can be as productive as possible.
Does the chair provide enough support?
An ergonomic office chair will be designed to alleviate the discomforts that come with sitting in a fixed position for extended periods. They will support the lower back and shoulders and allow you to work better, resulting in a more efficient work day!
What is an ergonomic office chair?
An ergonomic office chair provides adequate support to the body’s musculoskeletal system. The chair is sculpted to the contours of the body such as the lumbar region and the natural s-shape of the spine. A good ergonomic office chair will also be equipped with armrests so that the user’s shoulders are relaxed and a dense foam cushion for the seating pad.
Seat material & size
The material of your seat needs to be breathable, easy to clean, comfortable and in keeping with the look and feel of your aesthetic. This is where most standard office chairs fall short, most of them are black polyester with very little personality or style. When choosing your office chair, you should think about whether or not the material ticks all of the boxes above.
Fabric is a popular choice thanks to how breathable it is, but it also stains easily.
Mesh is incredibly breathable but not very durable.
Faux leather is a practical, low-maintenance and wipe-clean choice that is stylish and affordable.
Real leather is the most durable as it won’t crack or peel and can still be wiped clean, however, it is more expensive and may not be suited to all tastes.
The overall seat width is also something to bear in mind, especially in busy or compact office environments. You’ll need to measure the width of the chair to ensure that it will fit between any drawers, table legs and desks you will be using.
Adjustable height
There are two rules of thumb that will ensure correct posture and healthy circulation when using your office chair. These are:
- Your feet can sit flat on the floor
- Your eyes line up with the top of your computer screen
For these two things to be possible, you’ll need an adjustable-height office chair that allows you to lower and elevate your seating position - or, be incredibly lucky and find the perfectly-sized fixed office chair!
Backrests & armrests
Prolonged sitting without adequate lumbar support can cause the natural s-shape of the spine to flatten, leading to severe discomfort and back problems. This is why choosing an office chair with a good backrest is essential. You should look for a mid-height backrest at the least, ensuring that it is ergonomically shaped for adequate support. If you tend to have issues with your neck and shoulders when working, you should look for a taller backrest that provides neck support too.
When working at a desk or on a computer, your arms will be bent at the elbows. Armrests, particularly adjustable ones, will give you somewhere to rest, making the experience more comfortable. However, you’ll need to make sure that you measure the armrests to ensure that they will also fit under your desk, as some designs can be quite wide.
Wheeled base
High-quality casters (they are the wheels on the bottom of the chair spokes) will allow you to glide effortlessly over both carpet and hard floors. Having a chair with a wheeled base is a good idea in heavy-use scenarios as it will create a little bit of movement and prevent you from sitting still for too long, which isn’t good for the body. However, some casters can leave your carpet threadbare, meaning fixed bases are preferable.