Sitting at a desk all day is common in many workplaces, but adopting a comfortable and healthy position in front of the computer is not always possible. So which office chair will be both comfortable and relieve your spine during the day? Read our article and find out what to pay attention to when choosing the perfect office chair.
Sitting at a desk all day is common in many workplaces, but adopting a comfortable and healthy position in front of the computer is not always possible. So which office chair will be both comfortable and relieve your spine during the day? Read our article and find out what to pay attention to when choosing the perfect office chair.
What should you pay attention to when choosing an office chair?
When buying an office chair you should not leave anything to chance. After all, your work comfort and well-being depends on it. You don’t want to start complaining about a backache, numb fingers or a tingling feeling in your legs after just 10 minutes of using it. So what should you pay attention to?
- the type of chair,
- the design,
- the adjustment range and other parameters.
We will cover each of these points in detail in this article. With this knowledge you will be able to choose the perfect office chair to suit your needs.
Types of office chairs
Depending on the model, office chairs can have various features and elements that may affect both their comfort and user-friendliness. The most popular types are ergonomic, bucket seat, medical and orthopaedic office chairs.
Ergonomic office chairs
Ergonomic office chairs are the most commonly used by both companies and private users. They usually offer a basic regulation range, including the height and angle of the backrest. The price of such chairs can vary, with the cheapest models costing even as little as £10, while more expensive models can cost £100 or more. However, bear in mind that the cheaper models usually lack armrests or have poorly profiled seats, so it is worth investing in a more expensive model.
Bucket seat office chairs
Bucket seat office chairs are even more ergonomic, their design being inspired by seats used in racing cars. They usually have contoured seats and backrests, and wide large adjustment range. Bucket seats are popular not only with office workers, but also with gamers. In fact some models are even sold as gaming chairs.
Medical and orthopaedic chairs
Medical and orthopaedic chairs are designed for people who suffer from spine pain, as well as those who simply want to avoid it. They are often made to order. They come with specially profiled seats and backrests, and with a very wide range of adjustments, and sometimes have additional elements intended for people with particular spinal issues. These chairs are also the most expensive type.
What design should you choose?
When choosing office chairs, the design should complement your office decor. For traditional spaces with wooden furniture, opt for chairs with leather and wood elements. In modern settings, choose chairs with a light, metal finish and consider bright colors for a contemporary look. While aesthetics are important, functionality and comfort should remain the priority.
Office chair specifications
Office chair specifications are extremely important when choosing the right model for your needs. After all, whether an office chair will guarantee adequate comfort, as well as easy maintenance, depends on the technical specifications of a given model.
Office chair bases
Swivel chairs have become the norm in most offices these days. This should not come as a surprise, as this makes them much more practical in everyday use. Not only can you easily move around your desk, but even around the room without standing up each time. Wheels are mounted to the bases, which have 4 or 5 legs. Which office chair should you choose? Which is better – 4 or 5 legs? The most popular choice is usually 5 legs when it comes to office chairs, as this makes them more stable and less likely to turn over during use.
Such bases also have a mechanism that allows the seat to be rotated 360 degrees. Office chairs rarely come without this feature, but it is worth checking just to be sure, as this will make it much easier to maneuver around the office.
Seat and height adjustment
Seat and height adjustment are among the most basic features of office chairs. They let you adjust the chair not only to your height, but also the height of the desk you will be sitting at, so it is important to check the adjustment range. Tall users will prefer as wide an adjustment range as possible. When adjusting the seat height, pay attention to the position of your feet and knees. Your soles should freely touch the ground, and your knees should be at right angles. This will help you avoid discomfort and pain in your thighs and buttocks.
In addition to height adjustment, the seat itself is also important, as it should fit the user. Too wide seats will make it difficult to rest your arms on the armrests, while if too narrow they will restrict your freedom of movement. Additionally, the seat should be curved on both sides to relieve your thighs, and be slightly tilted towards the backrest. More expensive models come with seat height and angle adjustment. When it comes to the filling, most manufacturers use a special foam, which is resistant to long-term pressure and does not deform after extensive use.
Backrests on office chairs
The backrest is designed to relieve your back not only when working in front of a computer, but also when taking a break from looking at the screen, so its shape should be adapted to your spine. Badly shaped backrests can contribute to the development of posture defects. The backrest on an office chair is usually tilted 10-15 degrees towards the floor. Some models come with an option to adjust both the shape and the angle.
Backrests also have additional elements, making them more comfortable to use, such as a headrest, aimed at relieving your neck. It can be adjusted according to the height of the user. Some models also come with special movable pillows providing lumbar support, as well as ventilation holes ensuring an adequate air flow.
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Armrests on office chairs
Armrests are a very important part of good quality office chairs, especially for gamers and people who sit in front of a computer for most of the day. Their role is to relieve your shoulders and wrists, leaving you less tired after a long day at work.
The material of the upholstery
The material of the upholstery is important when it comes to both the design and comfort of the chair. However, these two aspects do not always go hand in hand. For example, faux-leather upholstery gives furniture an elegant finish, and its smooth surface does not absorb liquids, making it easy to keep clean. However, it does not provide proper ventilation, and can tend to stick to your body, especially during summer when you are wearing shorts.
A fabric upholstery will usually not be as elegant at faux-leather, and it will not always be easy to keep clean, but will offer better ventilation and is friendlier to your skin. You will not have to worry about rubbing against it when changing position.
Office chairs for your company
When selecting office chairs, consider your business type and employees’ activities. For roles involving prolonged sitting, like IT or accounting, invest in advanced chairs for maximum comfort and to prevent health issues. For roles requiring less desk time, basic chairs with essential adjustments and ergonomic designs are sufficient. Remember, quality and ergonomics matter to ensure employee well-being, regardless of the chair’s cost.
Which office chair should you buy – summary
When looking for the perfect office chair, you should take into account a number of factors that affect the functionality as well as user comfort of such furniture. With a wide choice of various types of chairs, from ergonomic, through bucket seat, to medical or orthopaedic chairs, you should have no problem finding the right model for your needs. Don’t forget to choose a chair that is appropriate for your height and the type of work you do.
Check out our other articles, with practical tips for running an office. Find out, among others, which coffee machine to choose.
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