Are you searching for an office chair that you want to be stylish but also the most comfortable to work from?
Well, the good news is that you have landed at the right place for advice. I have lost count of the hours I have spent researching this subject, and in this post, I am going to point you in the right direction.
Plus I am also going to pay attention to the most common ailments that come from working at a desk. If you haven’t guessed, the answer is most definitely bad posture and bad backs!
Why You Should Choose A Good Quality Chair
As mentioned above, a chair can literally be the make or break of your back’s health. I can speak from personal experience on this subject. Having suffered a serious sporting injury followed by two major operations and three smaller procedures, I know exactly what discomfort means! And when I eventually returned to the workplace, I soon found that the chair I had always used was next to useless.
Even if you haven’t had to undergo such extreme operations (and I hope you never will) I can guarantee that incorrect posture while sitting at your office desk could be the start of a slippery slope towards constant back pain.
And so it is essential that the chair you use in the office is comfortable and ergonomically correct to give full support to your back and neck. Before charging into a quick purchase because the chair “looks nice” just stand back and think about it.
The most certain thing that I can promise is that you will work far more efficiently if you choose the correct chair, even if it costs a little more. Look upon it as an investment for the future, because one thing is sure, your work output and your health will both benefit, If you are buying the chair for your home office and you are in charge of finances, then you know it makes sense. However if you are working for a company and you have to negotiate with a financial director, use the health and output argument to persuade him or her to pay a little more which in turn will increase production. It normally works!
Features Of A Good Office Chair To Consider
Staying on the subject of keeping good health, it is a fact that the majority of people who work from a desk suffer in one form or another from Sciatica. Lots of adverts will assure you that their products are the best on the market for lumbar support, but don’t be fooled by false or unproven claims. If your budget allows, only purchase quality chairs with adjustable lumbar supports. Remember, you spend a good percentage of your day sitting at your desk!
Another feature that needs careful consideration is whether your chair settings are adjustable. Most chairs these days come with height and arm adjustments. This is good, but you could be one of those people who need more than this. Just think of when you go to drive your car after someone else has used it. It’s almost certain that you adjust most seat settings to suit your requirements, otherwise you wouldn’t feel safe driving. Well, it’s the same with an office chair. Try to find one that has as many adjustments as possible, otherwise, you won’t feel safe “driving your desk”!
A feature that is often overlooked is whether the chair has wheels or not. Again, this usually means paying a little more, but it is a feature that can stop you from having to stretch across your desk to reach things. Without wishing to sound like a broken record, stretching can cause back problems.
And remember that the wheels are often custom-made for rolling on hard floors as opposed to carpets. Check which wheels you require.
And finally, make sure your chair swivels. Why would you buy a chair with all of the above features and then forget this important feature? Again it makes sense and is something else that will stop you overextending while reaching for something on your desk.
For Those On A Really Tight Budget
If your budget is really tight, then it may be worth considering a second-hand chair. On the face of it, this may look like a good idea. But to use the analogy of a car again, we’ve all seen second-hand motors that look great until you’ve driven them for two or three weeks and the faults start to show. It’s no different with a chair. Unless you know its history, be careful that in a short period of time the wheels don’t fall off, the lumbar support mechanism no longer works, the fabric suddenly tears, etc. Having said that, there are some real bargains to be had. So again, it all comes down to your choice and your budget.
Types Of Chairs Available
When searching the marketplace for your ideal chair, just remember why you are going to purchase it. This may sound a strange thing to say, but it is all too easy to get carried away when looking at the glossy photos, and then buy the wrong chair. And so take into consideration what I have said above, and narrow your choice down to two or three, before making the final decision. As a guide, the following list of chairs may help you decide what you really need:
Executive Office Chairs: Normally high backed, fully adjustable, and covered in either a high-quality fabric or leather.
Guest Chairs: Comfortable chairs that can either be placed in your office or the reception area. These are normally (but not always) square and can be used individually or placed in a row if space allows.
Board Room Chairs: These are generally smaller versions of Executive chairs. They allow for an adequate number of people to sit for long periods without encroaching on each other.
Stacking Chairs: I’m sure we’ve all seen and used these, whether in a village hall or school hall. The actual seating areas are often made from moulded “plastic” or similar. They are ideal for what they are designed to do, but I wouldn’t recommend them if you intend to spend long periods of time sitting in them. These are almost guaranteed to give you backache after a relatively short period.
And Finally
There are literally hundreds (if not thousands) of different chairs available to you. So before purchasing, know what you want and narrow your choice down to what suits you. Take into consideration your weight, your body shape, and your general state of health.
And most of all, when you finally make that purchase, enjoy your chair!
For the widest choice of chairs plus value for money, I have always found that Amazon provides the best service.
You can find out more and check prices here:
If you are in the UK, this is the link for you: Amazon.co.uk
For elsewhere: Amazon.com