Buying Office Chairs

The office chair market has exploded over the last decade or two. Almost every home in America now has a personal computer or a laptop. So almost every home needs a lovely desk to place the computer on…and every one of those desks needs a desk chair. But whether you work in a home office, a small business or a giant corporate headquarters, picking the right office chair can be the difference between pleasure and pain. For people who spend hours each day sitting at a desk and using a computer, having a comfortable and supportive office chair is crucial. The more time you spend at your desk, the more important the decision. An office chair needs to conform to the shape – and needs – of your sitting body. And the style should fit the existing office décor and its general ambience. This guide will discuss office chair materials, types of chairs and ergonomics.

Office Chairs

Comfort is key

Comfort and support are vitally important when shopping for office chairs. The right ergonomic chair can reduce muscle fatigue, eliminate back pain and ease stress-related headaches. Most important: Make sure the office chair has the right back support. Enjoy proper lumbar support with a backrest that is contoured conforms to the natural curve of your spine; for further support and added comfort, choose a chair with a contoured backrest that is adjustable. This way, you will have the freedom to adjust the chair to the comfort level your back requires. To shift upper body weight directly to the backrest, choose an office chair that reclines.

Ergonomic Office Chairs

Adjust!

An office chair will be more comfortable the more you can adjust it to the shape and sieze of your body and your particular needs. A chair with adjustable armrests will allow you to place your elbows at the most comfortable rest height. Look for a chair that allows for adjustments of back height and back angle, too. Even if you’re the only one that will be sitting in the particular chair, your comfort needs may change from time to time. Having control over the position of your body makes for lasting comfort. Office chairs that tilt or recline help shift upper body weight to the backrest. Chairs that swivel will move with you, helping to decrease stress and fatigue when reaching from desk to phone, for example. You may want to change the position or height of your office chair from time to time, so make sure you opt for a chair with these specific controls.

Office Chairs with Gas Lifts

Support Your Seat!

Stretches of time working in your chair call for comfortable movement and different body positioning throughout the day. Ensure proper seat support with a chair that accommodates adjustable seat heights. To support weight evenly while conforming to your shape, the seat of an office chair should be firm with just a slight yielding to form. If circulation is a problem for you, many office chairs feature seats that incline downwards at the front. These “waterfall” seats help improve the circulation to your lower limbs and feet while sitting. What’s more, make sure you choose a seat with the depth and width to comfortably fit your body weight and shape.

Special adjustments

For ergonomic benefits combined with desk height adjustment, choose an office chair with a gas lift. You’ll be able to control your seat height at any time. Chairs with a three-paddle adjustment feature allow you to move the seat back into any of three tilt ranges; you can lock the chair into the position that is most comfortable to you. Some chairs feature a knee-tilting mechanism, which helps sore backs get into a more natural seated position.

Mesh Office Chairs

Moving around in your desk chair

Is the floor of your work space carpeted, tiled or is there a smooth wood floor? Are you confined to a small work area or do you reach from desk to file cabinet to telephone? Consider your work space and your movement needs so you can choose the office chair with all the proper features. If your work area is carpeted, wheel casters provide a smooth glide. If wood, tile or linoleum is underfoot, choose softer casters for increased stability. Casters that are hooded and double-wheeled are good for keeping carpet and other materials from getting caught in the wheels. Is the carpet plush? Purchase a chair mat. It will ease the glide of the chair while also providing protection for the carpet.

Chair material

Take the temperature of your office or work area into account when shopping for an office chair. A fabric upholstered chair is easy to take care of and offers in an enormous variety of colors and textures. No worries when it comes to matching the colors and décor of your current office. Leather chairs come in a variety of grains and qualities. Top grain leather is the softest and most pliant – and it is also the most expensive. Leather lends a sophisticated look to office décor, but it can be uncomfortable when the temperature is warm, and difficult to maintain. Mesh chairs like the famous Aeron allow your body to “breathe” as you work. Mesh is highly recommended for office climates that can be hot or humid. Foam materials are wonderful for supporting your back and seat area because of its ability to contour to a body’s shape. Make sure you choose a foam material that is mostly firm (for support), with just a bit of “give” for contouring purposes.