The Importance of a Good Office Chair

If you’re an office worker, you’re likely to spend hours on end sat at your desk, on a chair. Unless you’ve got an office which supports hot-desking or have a treadmill-desk-only set-up, your chair is likely to be yours day-in-day-out, so it’s important it suits you.

Position and Adjustability

We’ve previously looked at ways to optimise your desk, outlining the ideal distance you should be sitting from your screen, at approximately 17 inches. This recommended distance is said to be best for comfort, especially of the eyes to reduce stress and tiredness.

To allow for every worker to be positioned to this guideline, office chairs are best to be adjustable to suit all. At least, height should be adjustable, and optimum chair height is said to be a quarter of the user’s height. Other more complex chairs allow for the backs and arm-rests to be adjusted also. This allows each employee to change heights and positions accordingly for personal comfort.

Ergonomics

Sitting for long periods of time every day can put stress on the spine and effect posture. As mentioned in our post zooming in on office ergonomics, many office chairs are designed with ergonomics in mind to boost comfort, and therefore productivity; if you’re trying to work while experiencing back-pain, chances are, your mind won’t be entirely focussed on the task at hand.

Fabric

The fabric of the chair also effects comfort. While leather or faux leather looks smart and professional, it can cause problems with breathability in warmer months and temperature in colder months, which can be uncomfortable.

Mesh is what you’ll find on most modern ergonomic office chairs. Springy, comfortable and lightweight, mesh works well for prolonged sitting, being highly breathable and having a chic and professional appearance.

Using fabric is the more traditional option for the seat and back; picture the classic royal blue fabric office chair. Fabric is hardwearing, breathable and available in loads of colours; however alternatives like mesh are seen as more stylish and contemporary, design-wise. 

Stability

If you think of an office chair, you think of one on wheels that spins. Wheeled, spinning chairs are great for scooting over to the shredder or printer, changing your position to stretch your legs or turn around to speak to one of your colleagues. Ensuring the chair is of good quality and on a 5-point base is best for stability to ensure you’re kept safe at work.

Some office desks don’t require wheels however; if a desk is in a corner with little space to move, a large chunky spinning chair is unnecessary and may become an inconvenience. In cases like these, opt for a comfortable chair on legs to save space and boost space efficiency.

Laura Sewell

An aspiring journalist, Laura is our content writer intern.  Pop-punk gig-goer and drag queen enthusiast, Laura is working her way into the industry with an English A -Level and love of writing about anything and everything in tow.